The Arab Spring has spawned a new generation of British-born terrorists after al-Qaeda lured dozens of would-be bombers abroad to train for possible attacks on the UK, the head of MI5 warned.

Jonathan Evans said the terror network has taken advantage of the unstable region, in the wake of last year’s revolutions, to spread its influence and create new bases for attacks.

British would-be jihadis are known to be receiving training in the likes of Libya and Egypt, mirroring what has already happened in the Yemen and Somalia. And they could return to attack the UK in what is a “new and worrying development”, he said.

Mr. Evans, the Director General of MI5, warned of the emerging threats in a rare speech, his first in almost two years.

Popular revolts across Arab nations were last year welcomed around the world and resulted in, among others, the end of Hosni Mubarak’s reign in Egypt and Muammar Gaddafi regime in Libya. Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, described events at the time as “incredibly exciting.”

But in the inaugural Lord Mayor’s Annual Defence & Security Lecture in London last night, Mr. Evans warned a new terror threat has emerged from an “Arab world in radical transition.” He said while the events offered long term hope there was a “more immediate problem” as al-Qaeda has returned to its native home.

“Today parts of the Arab world have once more become a permissive environment for al-Qaeda. This is the completion of a cycle – al-Qaeda first moved to Afghanistan in the 1990s due to pressure in their Arab countries of origin. They moved on to Pakistan after the fall of the Taliban.

“And now some are heading home to the Arab world again. And a small number of British would be jihadis are also making their way to Arab countries to seek training and opportunities for militant activity, as they do in Somalia and Yemen. Some will return to the UK and pose a threat here. This is a new and worrying development and could get worse as events unfold,” he said.

Figures last year suggested more than 100 Britons have received training by terror groups in Somalia and it is feared as many are now being prepared for terror attacks across Yemen, Egypt and Libya. And he signaled there could be a steady stream of new recruits.

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