Al Qaeda-linked cleric cleared of terror charges

Radical cleric Abu Qatada, who was deported from the UK last July, has been released from prison after being acquitted by a court in Jordan of plotting attacks on Americans and Israelis.

The ruling capped a lengthy legal battle for the 53-year-old who has been described as a one-time lieutenant to Osama bin Laden, although in recent months he has reportedly emerged as a harsh critic of the Islamic State militant group.

Qatada was deported from Britain to Jordan last year after years of fighting extradition.