(Xinhua/NAN) The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) on Thursday said a total of 2,705 new asylum requests were submitted in February in Switzerland, almost a quarter fewer than in January.

As was the case two months ago, most of the asylum seekers looking for refuge on Swiss soil hailed from Afghanistan (651 requests), Syria (244) and Iraq (221).

SEM added that Eritrean nationals (181) also sought asylum in the confederation.

Though fewer people registered requests with Swiss authorities in February, the SEM highlighted that the refugee situation remained tense because of ongoing conflicts and crises around the world.

A total of 583 people were granted asylum in the country in February, a further 647 were given temporary admission while 920 people left the country or were repatriated.

According to SEM figures, almost 40,000 refugees sought asylum in Switzerland over the course in 2015.