In all, 422 German lawmakers in the lower house of parliament voted on Friday in favor of classifying the trio of North African countries as so-called "safe countries of origin," according to Deutsche Welle.

There were 143 votes opposed to the change, while three lawmakers abstained. The move will allow German authorities to speed up the process of sending Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian asylum-seekers back to their nations of origin.

The decision must still be approved by the Bundesrat - Germany's upper house of parliament - before it can be implemented.

Under German law, refugees from a so-called "safe country of origin" generally have no right to asylum. 

Source ; MENA