Washington - President Bush signed an order late last night, allowing for non-US alleged terrorists to be tried before a special military panel instead of civilian courts, the White House said.
"He signed a military order today which gives him an additional tool in fighting the war against terrorism and bringing terrorists to justice," spokeswoman Anne Womack said.
The order gives the president the power to direct the US Defence Secretary to set up a military commission to try non-US terror suspects.
The order said the new rule would apply to "any individual who is not a United States citizen" that is a member of the al-Qaeda network, has engaged in or conspired to commit acts of terrorism or harboured any such suspects.
"It may be very difficult to try a terrorist of high prominence, say, someone like Osama bin Laden, in a regular civilian court in the United States and ensure the safety of people associated with the trial," said an administration official.