A US military commission began a pre-trial hearing today for a Yemeni man charged with conspiracy and who served as Osama bin Laden’s bodyguard.

A Yemeni poet accused of writing terrorist propaganda admitted he was a member of al-Qaida and asked to represent himself before a US military commission today.

Osama bin Laden’s alleged bodyguard and chauffeur today becomes Guantanamo Bay’s first terror suspect brought before a US military commission that allows for secret evidence and no government appeals.

Four suspected al-Qaida fighters will be formally charged with war crimes this week as the US military opens the first legal hearings for foreign prisoners held at the US Navy base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

ONE man allegedly worked as an al-Qaida accountant.