I’m sure they will lead peaceful lives when they return.

Via The Australian:

THE number of Australians believed to be fighting in Syria has doubled in less than six months to about 200, and ASIO is concerned that at least 100 are fighting for radical al-Qa’ida offshoot, the al-Nusra Front.

The Weekend Australian understands the Gillard government is preparing to ban al-Nusra, which has emerged as one of the most formidable brigades in the disparate coalition of groups that makes up the Syrian opposition movement.

Senior government sources said last night the listing of al-Nusra as a terrorist organisation under the criminal code was under “active consideration”.

Al-Qa’ida in Iraq announced this week it had merged with al-Nusra, also known as Jabhat al-Nusrah, placing it in the top echelon of radical jihadist groups.

The move has deepened fears among security analysts that the opposition to Bashar al-Assad has taken an increasingly Islamic hue, with extremists filling the vacuum left by poorly co-ordinated rebel forces.