Jordanian court jails militants

Jordan has held a series of trials of Islamist militants

Jordan's state security court has jailed 10 Islamists convicted of planning attacks on anti-terrorism officials and US forces.

The men were given prison sentences ranging from two to five years.

The alleged leader of the group, Motassem Suleiman, was sentenced to five years' hard labour for conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks.

Seven other defendants, who had been accused of belonging to the group, were acquitted.

The convicted prisoners shouted insults at the judges after the verdicts were read out.

"God is our Lord and the tyrant is their master," they shouted, suggesting that the Jordanian state and judiciary were agents for the US.

American military personnel are stationed in Jordan to train Iraqi troops.

All the men had pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyers have 30 days to appeal against the convictions.