Al Qaeda's Iraq and Syrian Wings Merge

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, announced the official merger of his group and Syria's al-Nusra Front.

Both are members of Al Qaeda.

They will now be known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

It is a sign of the growing prominence of Al Qaeda, in Syria, that they are now being completely open about their presence.

Other Arab countries and western powers are growing increasingly uneasy with Al Qaeda's gathering of strength in Syria.

Most of them back the rebels against the Assad regime, but Al Qaeda's presence makes it difficult for them to be active in their support.