Islamic cleric Abu Hamza has demanded the return of his prosthetic limbs as he appeared in court in New York for a second time following his extradition from the UK.

The Egyptian-born radical Islamic hate preacher, who claims that his hands were blown off while fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan, was stripped of his prosthetic limbs "for security reasons" when he was flown out from a US air base in Suffolk by private jet at the weekend.

He has demanded the return of the prosthetic limbs, including his infamous hook, so that he can feed and clean himself.

It came as Hamza pleaded not guilty in federal court yesterday after Britain extradited him to the US last week to face trial on terrorism charges and a potential life sentence.

US District Court Judge Katherine Forrest in Manhattan set a trial date of August 2013.

Hamza, 54, is accused of participating in a hostage-taking in Yemen in 1998 that resulted in the deaths of three Britons and an Australian.

He is also charged with providing material support to the al Qaeda network by trying to establish a training camp in Oregon and with attempting to organise support for the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Hamza was flown late on Friday to the US along with four other men who are also wanted on US terrorism charges.

Hamza could face up to life in prison if convicted of the charges.

He had made an initial appearance in federal court on Saturday but did not enter a plea.

At yesterday's hearing, he again appeared without his signature metal hook.

Hamza, through his attorney, asked to be referred to as Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, his name at birth, instead of Abu Hamza, his adopted moniker.

Jeremy Schneider, his court-appointed attorney, told the judge that his client wished to enter "a plea of not guilty to that indictment".

"Is that your plea, Mr Mustafa?" the judge asked. "Yes, it is," he answered.

Hamza lost his eight-year battle to avoid deportation after two London High Court judges refused to delay his departure.

The European Court of Human Rights refused to stop the extradition of Hamza and the four other men wanted on US terrorism charges.

Under the terms of British and European court rulings authorising the extradition, the men must be tried in US civilian courts, and federal prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty.

After the 35-minute hearing, Mr Schneider told reporters that he hoped the US Federal Bureau of Prisons would find a solution to allow his client the use of his arms.

"He is a gentleman who needs help with his health," Mr Schneider said.