DAMASCUS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interim authorities said Wednesday that the previous government's soldiers and officers fleeing to Iraq are now welcome to return home without fear of reprisal.

In a statement, the interim authorities pledged that military personnel who fled to neighboring Iraq during the final stages of the previous government's downfall would not face harassment or punishment upon their return.

It added that these returnees could use any border crossing and that the interim authorities would work directly with the Iraqi government to streamline procedures to facilitate their homecoming.

No timeline was provided for when their return might begin.

More than 1,000 Syrian army personnel entered Iraq through the Qaim border crossing on Dec. 7, a day before the overthrow of the former Syrian government by militant groups, Iraq's official news agency INA reported. The Iraqi side stressed that their presence is temporary until arrangements are made for their return to their country. Enditem

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