The Egyptian judge presiding over the trial of former president Hosni Mubarak has adjourned the proceeding until September 5 and has stopped live television broadcasts of the upcoming hearings.

The judge on Monday also decided to merge the former president's trial with the trial of former interior minister Habib al-Adly. Adly and six deputies are accused of giving orders that led to the killing of protesters. That trial ended abruptly Sunday due to “commotion” in the courtroom and was adjourned until September 5.

Mr. Mubarak appeared in the courtroom in Cairo Monday lying on a hospital bed, just as he did during the dramatic opening session on August 3. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he ordered the killing of 850 protesters during the uprising that drove him from power.

The 83-year-old former president also faces charges of corruption and abuse of power.

His sons Alaa and Gamal are co-defendants in the case and have denied separate corruption charges against them. They stood next to Mr. Mubarak inside the courtroom's large metal cage.

There were clashes outside the building between supporters and opponents of Mr. Mubarak, with each side throwing rocks at the other.

Mr. Mubarak arrived in a helicopter from a Cairo hospital where he has been held since the trial's first session. His aides say he has been in poor health since he left office following the February uprising against his rule.

Lawyers for Mr. Mubarak have requested that the head of the military council now ruling Egypt, a former intelligence chief, and 1,600 others, be required to testify during the trial.

Mr. Mubarak is the first Arab leader to face trial in person since the so-called “Arab Spring” of popular revolts swept across much of North Africa and the Middle East this year.