Russia says Al-Qaeda helping Syrian opposition: report

Al-Qaeda combatants are fighting alongside armed Syrian opposition militants, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich was quoted Thursday as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency.

“It is not a secret that our proposals are being rejected by the West or blocked by Syria’s radical opposition, not to mention armed units fighting against governmental forces that include Al-Qaeda fighters and other extremists,” he said.

Washington warned Tuesday that sending weapons to the forces fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime could benefit Al-Qaeda.

“We are aware of the fact that Al-Qaeda and other extremists are seeking to take advantage of the situation created by Assad’s brutal assault on the opposition,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney.