ROSTOV-ON-DON, January 21 (RIA Novosti) - Members of Al-Qaeda are active in Russia's North Caucasus republics of Chechnya and Daghestan, a deputy interior minister said on Wednesday.

"Al-Qaeda training centers exist around the world, and in southern Russia they are active on the territory of the Chechen republic and the republic of Daghestan," Arkady Yedelev told journalists.

He added that representatives of the international terrorist network carry out regular inspections of armed groups in the republics and provide them with weapons and explosives.

Yedelev said the process was "natural" as Russia was "becoming stronger" and enemies "had to have an influence on operations [in the country]."

"We know this and are prepared for it," he added.