New delay for Moussaoui trial

Moussaoui is charged with helping to plan the attacks

A federal judge in Washington has ordered the postponement of the trial of a man charged with helping to organise the 11 September terror attacks on America.

Judge Leonie Brinkema was granting a request from US prosecutors to halt the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui while a court hears an appeal by them against a ruling over evidence.

Binalshibh is suspected of being a top al-Qaeda figure

The prosecutors are challenging a ruling by the judge to allow Mr Moussaoui's lawyers access to a suspected senior member of al-Qaeda - the Islamic militant organisation widely held responsible for 11 September.

Mr Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan origin, faces a possible death sentence over the attacks.

He has been in detention since he was arrested in the summer of 2001 after arousing suspicion at a flight school in Minnesota.

Law enforcement officers believe him to be the "20th hijacker" - prevented from carrying out his mission only because he was already under arrest.

String of delays

Prosecutors question the right of Mr Moussaoui to question Ramzi Binalshibh who is named in the indictment as a co-conspirator.

"Given the pending... appeal, we find that the current trial schedule is no longer practicable, Judge Brinkema said in her ruling.

Mr Binalshibh is in custody at an undisclosed location following his capture in Pakistan.

Correspondents say that the Bush administration is reluctant to have him testify in a public trial, where he could reveal sensitive information.

If the prosecutors' appeal fails, the government may move the case to a military tribunal, which could operate under greater secrecy.

This is the third time Mr Moussaoui's trial, which had been due to begin on 30 June, has been delayed.

No new trial date was set.