US doctor convicted of supporting al Qaeda

NEW YORK, May 22 (Reuters) A federal jury convicted a Florida-based doctor of supporting al Qaeda by swearing allegiance to the group and attempting to help treat wounded fighters.

Rafiq Sabir, 52, was found guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to the militant Islamist group and providing or attempting to provide support or resources. He faces a maximum 30 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.

The case did not involve any attack plot, but centered on an oath that Sabir and his close friend Tarik Shah made in Arabic in May 2005 to an undercover FBI agent posing as an al Qaeda recruiter. He taped both men pledging support to the militant Islamic group and ''Sheikh Osama.'' REUTERS KK PM0455