Army leadership's testimony-Egypt - Judicial sources in Egypt affirmed on Wednesday that military personnel can be summoned to testify in civilian courts. The Judicial sources added that this can happen only after notifying the Military Judiciary Body, since it is the party responsible for bringing witnesses to military or civilian courts. The sources said it was up to the civilian Judge to decide whether he needed the testimony of military officers, adding that Judges did not have to respond to lawyers' demands for the summoning of Military Personnel to the Civilian Court.

This follows requests of lawyers representing former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for the testimony of the Head of the Interim ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Field Marshall Hussein Tantawy, who served as Defence Minister under Mubarak. he is on trial for the killing of protesters of the January 25th revolution and several corruption charges, Mubarak's lawyers also called for the testimony of Army Chief of Staff, Sami Anan and former Intelligence Chief and ex-Mubarak Vice, General Omar Solaiman.

The same demands were presented by the lawyers of former Interior Minisiter Habib Al-Adly and his assistants, also accused of ordering the shooting of peaceful protesters of the January revolution.

Representatives of the revolution's martyrs and injured victims have also asked for the testimony of Tantawy, Anan and Solaiman.

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 cour, has dominated Egyptian and International media.

Around 600 people were admitted into the Police Academy hall in Cairo's 5th district on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, where the trial was switched to for security reasons.

Only Egyptian State TV cameras were allowed into the hall.

Hundreds of pro-Mubarak supporters clashed with revolutionaries outside the Police Academy Hall, where tens suffered minor injuries.

Some 8,000 officers and men from the Army and Police secured the trial's event, in a generally calm atmosphere inside the Police Academy hall.

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