One of four men accused of plotting to kill thousands and cause an economic catastrophe by blowing up John F Kennedy International Airport pleaded guilty to a lesser count yesterday, the day before his federal trial was to begin. In heavily accented English and sometimes through tears, Abdel Nur, of Guyana, admitted he provided material support of terrorists, a charge that was not in the original indictment against him. The lesser charge spares him a possible life sentence. Instead, he now faces up to 15 years in prison. Nur admitted he told co-defendants Kareem Ibrahim, Abdul Kadir and Russell Defreitas he would provide them with protection and guidance on a trip to T&T in May 2007 to buy supplies. “I understand the destruction of the fuel and planes was to cause major economic loss in the US,” he said, reading from a statement. His plea did not include plotting to kill people. The four had been charged with conspiracy. A trial for Kadir and Defreitas is scheduled to begin today. Ibrahim’s case was severed after he went on a hunger strike in prison and became ill. It was unclear when he would be tried.