London - Three suspected terrorists on Monday admitted guilt to lesser charges related to the alleged attempted bombing of aircraft flying from Britain.

But the defendants, standing before the Woolwich Crown Court in London, pleaded not guilty to the main charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

The three British-resident Muslims admitted conspiracy to create explosions, but claimed that they had no intention to kill. A jury will now have to rule on the charges of conspiracy to commit murder with liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks.

The defence for the three main accused - including a purported 27- year-old cell leader - stated that their actions were intended only to bring world attention to perceived injustices done to Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

Similar small explosions were to have taken place in front of Britain's Houses of Parliament as well as gas terminals and oil refineries.

The three also confessed to producing a videotape threatening suicide attacks in order to create a public nuisance. Two other defendants also pleaded guilty to the latter charge.

Observers said the the accused were admitting to partial guilt in the hopes of escaping life imprisonment for murder charges.

Prosecutors have charged a total of eight men with attempting to smuggle, assemble and detonate components for liquid explosives on flights to the United States from London's Heathrow airport.

The attack was foiled on August 10, 2006 when the suspects were arrested, allegedly within the last months of finalizing their plans.

The police action against the liquid explosion resulted in a worldwide ban on airline passengers carrying liquids aboard flights. (dpa)