May 11, 2002	Saturday	Safar 27, 1423

LONDON, May 10: A London judge ruled on Friday that a leading Al Qaeda suspect alleged to have plotted the destruction of Los Angeles airport can be extradited to the US to stand trial on terror charges.

Algerian Amar Makhlulif, 37, appeared at a top security magistrate’s court in London amid unprecedented security arrangements.

The district judge Timothy Workman ruled there was sufficient evidence to justify sending him to the US for trial.

Makhlulif is alleged to have plotted to blow up the Los Angeles airport on Millennium Eve.

He is suspected to have helped send would-be terrorists to Osama bin Laden’s training camps in Afghanistan. Before any extradition to the US the decision needs to be approved by the Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Defence spokeswoman Alison MacDonald said an appeal would be considered.

Makhlulif, is also as Doha and the Doctor, was remanded in custody pending the Home Secretary’s decision or any appeal.

It followed a day-long hearing last month when the court were told that Makhlulif was accused of plotting with Osama, Ahmed Ressam and others to blow up Los Angeles airport.

The police came to know about the plot when one of Makhlulif’s accomplices known as Ressam also an Algerian was arrested while crossing into the US from Canada with a car full of explosives.