LONDON —  An appeals commission in Britain has decided to release a Muslim preacher accused of having ties to Al Qaeda.

Radical Muslim preacher Abu Qatada, who had been jailed in Britain since 2002, was granted bail Thursday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is extremely disappointed with the decision but would "take all steps necessary to protect the public."

The British government has accused Abu Qatada of "long-established connections" with Al Qaeda, Egypt's Islamic Jihad and other terror groups.