They want up to four days to call their own witnesses. The lawyers aim to challenge the standards for impeachment, and criteria for the prosecution of perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of power, the three allegations faced by Mr Clinton.

"We anticipate that it will require no more than three to four days of the committee('s) time to deal with the topics above, at which time counsel for the president will present a final argument," the lawyers said.

They argue that testimony on prosecutorial misconduct and the impact of tainted witnesses was "essential to the President's defence".

Hyde: Set aside one day

The chairman of the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, Henry Hyde, has set aside just one day to hear Mr Clinton's defence.

Granting the lawyers' request would probably put off a vote on impeachment by the full House until next year.

This is significant because the Democrats picked up five House seats in last month's elections. It means the Republicans will have a reduced majority when the new Congress convenes in January.

The Republicans currently enjoy a 228-206 margin over the Democrats in the House of Representatives. That majority will slip to 223-211 in January.

Some Republicans have already attacked the White House's request for extensive hearings.

"This is an obvious and desperate political ploy to push the inquiry into the new Congress where the Democrats potentially have more votes," said Paul McNulty, spokesman for the committee's Republicans.

Approval of at least one impeachment article is considered a foregone conclusion in the committee. That would send the matter to the full House, where the situation is unclear.

A proposed article dealing with perjury is thought to have the best chance of passage.

For their part, Democrats hope they can force consideration of a censure of the president as an alternative to impeachment.