MIAMI, Aug 16: Jose Padilla, a US citizen held by the military for three years as an “enemy combatant”, was convicted on Thursday in a trial seen as a centrepiece of the Bush administration's efforts to battle terrorism. Padilla faces a possible life prison term, as do two co-defendants convicted alongside the convert to Islam who was initially accused by the US government of plotting a radiological “dirty bomb” attack.

Jurors in Miami found him guilty of conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim, conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, and providing material support for terrorism.

Padilla stared straight ahead as the verdict was read.

“Of course we're going to appeal,” said his mother, Estela Lebron, who was at the Miami courthouse for the judgment. “You need to understand, this is a Republican city. I'm not surprised of anything in this place any more.”

Padilla was arrested in 2002 and held as an “enemy combatant” by the Bush administration.

But faced with court challenges to the president's authority to hold him without charge, prosecutors added Padilla to an already existing terrorism support case in Miami that made no mention of any bomb plot.

He was turned over to civilian authorities last year.

The jury also convicted co-defendants Adham Hassoun and Kifah Jayyousi on the same three charges. The judge set sentencing for Dec 5.

TALIBAN-STYLE GOVTS: The three Muslim men were accused of forming a Florida support cell that allegedly provided money and recruits for Islamist radicals seeking to establish Taliban-style governments in nations where Muslims lived.