US President George W Bush has, for the first time, earmarked a group of people for trial on charges of international terrorism.
The White House has designated six prisoners to appear before the military commissions that were set up in the United States after the 11 September attacks in 2001.
The six are understood to be members of the al-Qaeda group who are among about 600 people being held at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
US officials say no decision has yet been made as to when the hearings will take place.
