A group of Syrian refugees welcomed to Uruguay last year protested outside the presidency building on Monday demanding that authorities let them leave the South American country. Uruguay welcomed five families of 42 Syrian refugees fleeing civil war in October 2014. Two of the families protested, saying local officials promised more than they could deliver. They said Uruguay is expensive and there are no jobs. Maher Aldees, the head of one family, says he wants to travel to Syria or Lebanon, and that he and his relatives will continue protesting outside the presidential offices until authorities take them to the airport. The Aldees family returned to Montevideo a week ago after attempting to travel abroad. They spent 20 days in the airport in Istanbul, Turkey, where their documents were not accepted. "They told us Uruguay was something else, and they lied to us," Maheer Aldes said. His family was living in the coastal city of Piriapolis. Local authorities had issued a complaint against the parents accusing them of not sending their daughters to school. Authorities later said the issue was solved. The Ashebli family, arrived outside the building with suitcases and bags carrying their belongings, and said they would remain until their demands are met. They traveled from Juan Lacaze, a small Uruguayan city some 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Montevideo. "They told us a lot of things that never came true," said Ibrahim Ashebli. "They told us this country was cheap, and it's expensive. Money is not enough. There's no work." Under former President Jose Mujica, Uruguay initially agreed to receive a total of 120 Syrian refugees. Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa has said that a second group of seven families will arrive later this year and has rejected criticism by some Uruguayans who say their country should not receive more refugees. President Tabare Vazquez, who took power in March, said in his inaugural speech that a "profound analysis" was necessary before Uruguay decides whether to receive more Syrian refugees. Since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, more than 4 million Syrians have sought refuge abroad, the largest number from any crisis in almost 25 years, the United Nations has said.
