Al-Qa'ida suspect held in Britain 'was recruiter for Afghan training camps'

An al-Qa'ida suspect held in Britain has been accused of playing an important role in sending young Islamic militants to terror training camps in Afghanistan.

Abu Doha was also implicated in a millennium plot to bomb Strasbourg cathedral by Yacine Akhnouche, who is being held in France.

According to French judicial sources, Mr Akhnouche had, "talked a lot" to investigators following his arrest on February 4. He is suspected of being a key link in Osama bin Laden's al-Qa'ida organisation and has suggested that Mr Doha, who is an Algerian being held in Belmarsh prison, south-east London, may have had a broader role. Mr Doha is awaiting extradition to the United States to face charges for his part in an alleged plot to bomb Los Angeles airport, also on millennium eve.

Meanwhile, a Boston cab driver linked by US investigators to two of the September 11 hijackers was sentenced to death in Jordan yesterday for his role in a series of planned attacks on US and Israeli tourists at the turn of the millennium.

Raed Hijazi, a US citizen of Jordanian origin, became the first Islamic militant linked to al-Qa'ida to face execution anywhere in the world. He was found guilty on seven charges, including possession of arms and explosives and conspiracy to bomb two holy sites in Jordan. According to prosecutors, Hijazi trained with al-Qa'ida in Afghanistan and met senior aides to Mr bin Laden. He was originally tried and sentenced to death in absentia more than a year ago, although that sentence was later commuted to life in prison. His new trial followed his arrest in Syria and extradition to Jordan last year.

The defendant vigorously denied the charges. His lawyers alleged his confessions had been extracted under duress.