An Australian court has convicted five Muslim men of plotting to commitan act of terrorism. The men were found guilty of stockpilingbomb-making instructions and purchasing explosive chemicals in pursuitof what prosecutors called "violent jihad."  Each face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

TheNew South Wales Supreme Court heard that the group planned to use bombsor firearms to commit "extreme violence" to punish Australia for itsinvolvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The jury viewedmore than 3,000 exhibits and heard from more than 300 witnesses. Itwas told one man participated in a terrorist-run paramilitary camp inPakistan, while three others received similar training in remote partsof Australia in preparation for an attack.

The men were arrestedin 2005 on information provided by hardware store and gun shop owners. Prosecutors accused them of conspiring to commit terrorist attacks, butnever divulged their intended target.

The trial began in November 2008 and lasted more than 170 days - one of the longest in Australian legal history.

The New South Wales police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, welcomed the guilty verdicts.

"Itis a very strong statement," he said. "If you come here with a view tocommitting an act of terrorism you are likely to be caught."

Outside the court in Sydney, there were angry scenes as supporters of the convicted men scuffled with members of the press.

Relatives expressed their disbelief at the jury's decision.

Male: "My uncle - the best person, like, he used to go with me to boxing fights because I was a boxer and he used train me."

Female: "It is unfair because he has done nothing wrong."

The five men face life in prison and are expected to be sentenced in December.

Fourother men, accused of being part of the same conspiracy, had previouslypleaded guilty and have been sentenced to up to 14 years in prison.