Al Qaeda gaining foothold in Syria: William Hague

London: UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned that the al Qaeda was gaining a foothold in strife-torn Syria.

According to The Sun, Hague admitted that Britain could arm rebel forces.

He spoke out after evidence emerged of the Syrian regime`s brutality, with monitors reporting at least 15 anti-government protesters were killed yesterday. Hague said: "There is evidence al Qaeda is becoming involved. That is an alarming development."

Hague said that the world had to be ready to act if the peace plan drawn up by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan failed. The Foreign Secretary said all options against Syria were being considered, including military intervention. ANI