London - A radical Muslim cleric who is wanted for trial in Jordan can be deported from Britain despite fears he could face torture, a British court ruled Wednesday.

The unanimous decision by Britain's Law Lords, the country's highest appeal court, to reject an appeal by 48-year-old Abu Qatada means that deportation proceedings can begin after years of legal wrangling.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "delighted" with the judgement. But lawyers for Abu Qatada, considered by the authorities to be one of the most influential extremists in Europe, indicated that they would take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The five Law Lords also unanimously supported the deportation of two Algerian terrorism suspects whose cases covered similar grounds.

In 2005, the British government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan, Algeria and other countries, aimed at ensuring that deportees will not suffer torture on their return.

Amnesty International urged the British government not to take the judgement as a "green light" to deport more people to regimes where they risk unfair trial or torture.

Abu Qatada was first arrested in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. His convictions in Jordan relate to an alleged conspiracy to bomb hotels in the capital, Amman, along with allegedly providing finance and advice for other plots.

The two Algerian men, who also lost their cases, had said that they could face torture if returned to their home country. (dpa)