The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt has described former President Hosni Mubarak's appearance in Court on Wednesday as 'an important development in Egypt's history', that proves the country is no longer 'prone' to outside pressures. In its weekly message, the MB noted that this was the first time in modern history that an Arab leader was being brought to justice for crimes he committed against his people.

It added that this was 'proof' that only the rule of law would from now on govern in the country.

The MB's newly formed Freedom and Justice Party, meanwhile, said that trying Mubarak for the killing of protesters of the 25 January revolution, should comfort Egyptians that the country's future was in safe hands with an 'honest' and independent Judiciary system.

For his part, potential Presidential candidate and head of the 'Al-Ghadd' or Tomorrow party, Ayman Nour, said Mubarak's appearance in court removed any doubts regarding the Egyptian authorities' seriousness regarding the Mubarak trial process.

Nour, who finished as runner up in the 'forged' 2005 Presidential elections, and who was imprisoned by the ousted Mubarak regime, said he believed Mubarak and his sons should also be tried for 'illegal practices' concerning the country's debt deals.

Another likely Presidential candidate, former Arab League Chief, Amr Moussa, hailed Wednesday's developments, saying he believed Justice was the basis of progress of civilizations.

Moussa, who should run for President as an independent, and who served under Mubarak as Foreign Minsiter, further said that bringing the former President to trial was yet another achievement of the peaceful January revolution, and stressed that the process should be fair and transparent.

Wednesday's broadcast of scenes from the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, his attendance in court in a medical bed, and the presence of his sons and many of the key figures of his ousted regime behind bars in a metal cage in a Cairo court on Wednesday, dominated Egyptian and International media.

After the first session, Judge Ahmad Refaat, head of the Cairo Criminal Court, adjourned the case to 14 August.

Mubarak, in need of 'constant' medical surveillance, was in the meantime ordered by the Cairo Criminal Court to be transferred to the International Medical Centre on the Cairo-Ismailya highway.

The decision not to return Mubarak to Sharm Al-Sheikh International Hospital where he has been for months is aimed at easing Mubarak's transportation to Court when needed.

His sons Alaa and Gamal have already returned to Torah prison.

Mubarak pleaded not guilty that he allegedly ordered the shooting of protesters of the 25 of January revolution that toppled his regime.

Mubarak and his sons also denied all charges of corruption.

Mubarak's lawyer, Farid Al-Deeb, asked for the testimony of Head of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Field Marshall Hussein Tantawy, who served as Defence Minister under Mubarak, and also for the testimony of former Intelligence Chief and ex-Vice President Omar Solaiman.

The same demand was requested by lawyers representing other defendants, as well as the families of the revolution's victims.

Mubarak's lawyer also asked on Wednesday to separate the Mubarak case from that of his Interior Minister, Habib Al-Adly and his assistants, which resume on Thursday.

The interim ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has said it will not interfere in matters in the hands of the Judiciary.

The Army has vowed to lead the nation to a democratically elected civilian administration before the end of the year.

Pana 04/08/2011