Guardian editor to face lawmakers on Snowden leaks

The editor of the Guardian newspaper will be questioned by British lawmakers over his paper's publication of files leaked by ex-National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

The paper confirmed in a statement today that Alan Rusbridger will appear to testify before Parliament's home affairs select committee next month.

The committee hearing follows warnings from Britain's top three spy chiefs on Thursday that Al-Qaida and other terror groups were "rubbing their hands in glee" in the wake of Snowden's leaks.

In an unprecedented public parliamentary hearing, they said that terror groups are trying to switch to more secure means of communication as a result of the revelations.

Rusbridger has defended the newspaper's role, saying its coverage has prompted a debate about the extent of intelligence activities.