Man in US Capitol bomb plot sentenced to 30 years

Alexandria: A man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for plotting to detonate a suicide bomb at the U.S Capitol.

The term imposed on 29-year-old Amine El-Khalifi of Virginia was the highest allowed under a plea deal.

El-Khalifi admitted plotting with undercover agents he believed were from al-Qaida and volunteering to run a suicide operation at the Capitol, going so far as to wear what he thought was a bomb-laden vest.

El-Khalifi expressed no remorse at Friday's hearing and said only that he loves Allah.

Defense lawyers say the sting operation preyed on El-Khalifi's financial woes by giving him nearly $6,000.

Prosecutors say El-Khalifi came to authorities' attention in part by answering a Facebook post seeking to recruit Muslim holy warriors.