Syrian conflict putting al Qaeda militants closer to Europe - UK

[pampango]

2. Good insight from a conservative cabinet member.

He later told Reuters hundreds and maybe thousands of people were involved, but cautioned that not everyone going to Syria was an extremist, with some seeking to join Western-backed rebels and others linking up with the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front because it was one of the most effective fighting forces.

He said the Syrian conflict had also drawn in Lebanon's Shi'ite guerrilla group Hezbollah. Sponsored by Iran and fighting for Assad, Hezbollah was "operating with an openness and an intensity we have not seen before," Farr said.