SYDNEY - Australia`s new Prime Minister Julia Gillard Tuesday ended a three-month freeze on processing Sri Lankan asylum-seekers, and said a bar on Afghan claims was under review.

"The government has decided to lift immediately the suspension on processing claims of Sri Lankans," Gillard told Sydney`s Lowy Institute think-tank.

"I am not immediately ending the suspension of processing of Afghan asylum seekers, but my government will keep that decision under review in the coming weeks and months," she added.

BDST: 08.15 HRS, July 6, 2010