Iran, al-Qa'ida and Taliban should pay $6bn to 9/11 victims' families, says US judge

A US judge says al-Qa'ida, the Taliban and Iran should pay $6 billion to relatives of September 11 victims for aiding in the 2001 terror attacks in New York.

The recommendation is largely symbolic since it would be nearly impossible to collect any damages.

But plaintiff Ellen Saracini tells the Daily News that she is happy about yesterday's recommendation by Manhattan Federal Magistrate Judge Frank Maas. Her husband, Victor, was the captain of one of the two planes that struck the World Trade Center.

Last year, Judge George Daniels signed a default judgment on the lawsuit brought by family members of 47 victims. He found al-Qa'ida, the Taliban and Iran liable and asked the magistrate to determine damages.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has denied any Iranian connection in the attacks.