The decision is being seen as a boost to the president and a setback for the special prosecutor, Kenneth Starr.

Mr Starr wants to cross-examine the lawyers and guards in connection with allegations that the former White House worker, Monica Lewinsky, lied when she denied having had an affair with President Clinton.

The White House says the lawyers and security guards would be breaching confidentiality if they testified.

Mr Starr had cited the Watergate scandal involving President Richard Nixon 24 years ago in asking the Supreme Court to decide immediately on the claims of privilege asserted to block the testimony of deputy White House counsel Bruce Lindsey and Mr Clinton's bodyguards.

But the nation's high court rejected the request, saying that "the Court of Appeals will proceed expeditiously to decide" the two cases.