Brussels, 27/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - Jacques Barrot, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, said on Thursday 26 February that the 17 February ruling from the European Court of Justice would have only a limited effect in practice. The Court had concluded that, given that Iraq is in a state of widespread and indiscriminate violence, asylum seekers - in the case in hand an Iraqi couple, Meki and Noor Elgafaji - may be exempted from having to prove that they would be specifically at risk of harm to their persons if they were to return to Iraq (EUROPE 9843). “It is only in extremely grave circumstances that facilities are given to asylum seekers”, Mr Barrot said. The commissioner replied along these lines to Dutch Secretary of State Nebgahat Albayrak, who called on the Commission to prescribe to member states the approach to be taken concerning the interpretation to be given to the terms “armed conflict” and “exceptional situation” during the processing of asylum requests. (B.C./transl.jl)