A US military jury has reached a verdict at the Guantanamo Bay trial of Osama bin Laden's former driver, who is accused of conspiring with al-Qaeda and providing material support for terrorism.

A spokesman said on Wednesday that the verdict on Salim Hamdan, a Yemeni citizen, would be announced shortly.

Hamdan denies the charges, saying he worked for bin Laden only as a driver and had no knowledge of al-Qaeda attacks.

The trial is first US war crimes tribunal since the second world war.

'Abuse claims'

The Yemeni national was captured at a roadblock in southern Afghanistan in November 2001, allegedly with two surface-to-air missiles in his car.

He says he drove for bin Laden in Afghanistan because he needed the $200 in monthly wages but denies joining al-Qaeda, pledging loyalty to bin Laden or participating in attacks.

Hamdan has already spent six years in prison at the Guantanamo prison camp, and his defence lawyers say he was subjected to abuse while in US custody, including humiliating interrogation tactics and sleep deprivation.

The Bush administration has faced heated criticism over the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and the special tribunals, which operate under different rules to other military courts or civilian ones.