Abu Hamza should be extradited to America to face trial for conspiring with al-Qaeda, lawyers for the US Government told a London court today.

The controversial London-based Muslim cleric faces 11 charges in America relating to hostage-taking in the Yemen, an alleged military training camp in the US, and sending British volunteers to train at al-Qaeda terrorism camps in Afghanistan. If convicted, he could be jailed for 100 years.

"Abu Hamza is a member of a global consipracy to wage jihad against the United States and other countries," said James Lewis, QC, for the US Government.

"He has consistently advocated hatred and violence against the United States of America, which he called the United Snakes of America."

Abu Hamza appeared unwell in the dock at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, often lolling forwards with his one good eye shut.

The judge allowed him to return to his cell after an hour and a half.

He was referred to on the charge sheet by his real name, Mustafa Kamel Mustafa.

Mr Lewis claimed that Abu Hamza had supplied a satellite phone to a group, including his own stepson, which allegedly took 16 Westerners hostage in Yemen in 1988.

Calls were traced between the satellite phone and Abu Hamza's London home, said Mr Lewis, who was reading from a sworn affidavit written by Michael Butsch, the leader of the US investigation into Abu Hamza.

The London cleric, who preached at Finsbury Park mosque, offered to act as intermediary for the terrorists, he said, and topped up the airtime on the phone by £500 the day after the hostages were seized.

Three British tourists died in the incident in Yemen.

Mr Butsch alleged that Abu Hamza also gave funds to a Muslim extremist, referred to in court as CC1, whom he said planned to set up a military training camp in the north-western US state of Oregon, to send fighters to join al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

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