A man from a New York City suburb has been charged with joining Al Qaeda and taking part in a rocket attack against a U.S. base in Afghanistan.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in New York alleged in court papers unsealed today that Bryant Neal Vinas, 26, of Long Island received al Qaeda training in Pakistan between March and August 2008. He is also accused of taking part in a September 2008 rocket attack against U.S. forces.

Vinas has worked as a truck driver and for the Long Island Rail Road, a major commuter rail line in and out of New York City. Public records indicate lived in Patchogue and was a registered Democrat who voted in local elections in 2005.

Vinas was initially arrested in November in Pakistan by security services there and extradited back to the United States in November 2008, according to a U.S. law enforcement official.

The disabled father of self-confessed shoe-bomber Richard Reid has said he will stand by his terrorist son.

Richard Reid had brought no shame on his family - despite pleading guilty in a US court on Friday to attempting to blow up an airliner with explosives hidden in his shoes - his father Robin told the BBC.

Holding back tears, Mr Reid said he loved his son and he would support him "any way I can"

Mr Reid said his son had been brainwashed by Muslim extremists and had been motivated "by religious beliefs, not by our family beliefs".