Russia's security service, the FSB, is to expand its cooperation with foreign partners in order to neutralize Al Qaeda's influence, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov told journalists on Thursday.

Bortnikov highlighted the terror network’s increased presence and activity in North Africa. He said that “issues of popular radicalization, the resource base for terrorism” were of particular concern, particularly in view of the appearance of “spin-off” groups that has followed the weakening of the network’s central core.

Stressing the need for “continuing cooperation” he added that “individual destructive movements that are developing linked to nationalism and patriotism, on the left and on the right,” were of particular concern “for us and for our partners in Europe.”