A United Nations team monitoring sanctions on al-Qaida has predicted there will be an escalation in the brutality of terrorist attacks, saying the network remains determined to strike around the world.
Terrorism involving al-Qaida and weapons of mass destruction remains among the paramount global threats, the team said in a report.
Al-Qaida still had a strong interest in acquiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons, and it was only "a matter of time" before a successful attack occurs, the report said.
"The biggest fear we all have is terrorists getting hold of the means to cause a mass attack," said Richard Barrett, the team's coordinator.
He said he did not think al-Qaida was likely to obtain an entire bomb, but rather components of weapons of mass destruction, such as toxic or radioactive material.
"The team sees no let up in the determination of al-Qaida, the Taliban and their associates to continue their campaign of terror. It sees al-Qaida continuing to spread its message to all parts of the world, and a further escalation in terms of brutality of attacks," the report said.
"Whatever the situation in Iraq, al-Qaida's global terrorism will continue and will remain a challenge to all states," it added.
Barrett said al-Qaida was using the conflict in Iraq to boost its standing.
Despite steps taken by nations to impose embargoes of military weapons, attacks with small arms and explosives have continued, the report said.
Although countries had put in place measures to stop terror groups transferring money, the restrictions could be circumvented, the report said.
"Al-Qaida is a phenomenon that observes no borders. It is even harder to track now than it was a year or two ago when it had a more coherent structure and leadership," Barrett said.
AP