London, Jan 9 : British and American officials have raised concerns over the prospect of Syria's chemical arsenal falling into the hands of extremist Islamists, a report has said.

British military, has raised his worries in Whitehall in recent weeks and there has been a series of meetings over the issue between European and American officials and governments in the region.

Last year US President Barack Obama warned that the use of chemical weapons would mean President Bashar al-Assad's regime had crossed a `red line' and must bear the consequences.

The regime appeared to have stopped on its tracks in preparing such attacks and defence secretary Leon Panetta stated subsequently that the threat has been reduced.

Although the US and UK governments still hold that a beleaguered regime on its last legs may use weapons of mass destruction (WMD) there is also the clear danger of jihadist fighter getting possession of stockpiles, the Independent reports.

According to the paper, the Obama administration has prescribed the Al-Nusra Brigade, one of the strongest of the rebel groups and one which declares itself affiliated to Al-Qaeda, as a terrorist organisation.

The paper said that the vulnerability of the chemical stock is believed to have been discussed between American and Russian officials on a number of occasions.

The Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, subsequently stated that the chemical stock was being kept in two centres and it would be "suicidal" for the Assad regime, which his government has supported throughout the uprising, to use them, the paper added. (ANI)