The Egyptian court trying Hosni Mubarak over the killing of protesters in January on Wednesday summoned the head of Egypt's ruling military council and other top officials to give testimony next week. The testimony can prove decisive in determining the fate of the ousted president.

Hussein Tantawi, Mubarak's defence minister for 20 years, and now head of Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces, will testify behind closed doors on Sunday about the killing of protesters.

The session will be open only to the defense team and civil plaintiffs, and the media will be banned from coverage.

The fourth session of Mubarak's trial was held Wednesday. The session started amid disorder as the civil plaintiffs quarreled over who should talk first.

One insulted Mubarak, prompting some defendant lawyers to withdraw from the court.

Security Forces Sheriff Mohamed Abdel-Hakim, who testified in court, said the police personnel were ordered not to bring live ammunition during the demonstrations. And he didn't know who shot the protesters, which contradicted his previous testimony.

Another witness, Security Forces Sheriff Sergeant Abdel-Hameed Abou Yazeed, said they were armed with blank bullets which were just for intimidation. And that they didn't use live ammunition at all.

Mubarak and his two sons first appeared in court on August 3rd. They have denied all charges against them, including ordering to kill protesters and corruption.

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