Breivik to address Oslo court

The defence lawyer for Anders Behring Breivik said he understands survivors and victims' relatives are concerned that his client might use the trial as a pulpit for his extremist views.

"On other hand - and this is important - he has a right to explain himself, a fundamental right under Norwegian law and a human right," Geir Lippestad said.

He said Breivik's appearance in the dock to read the document will take around 30 minutes.

On Monday at the start of his trial in the capital Oslo, Breivik, 33, made a far-right salute before sitting down.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism and murder but said he "acknowledges the acts" and that he killed the 77 people in July in "self-defence" .

He smirked at times but was tearful as the court was shown the 12-minute video he posted online before launching two terror attacks.

A lip-reading expert for Norwegian broadcaster TV2 said Breivik told his lawyer: "I am OK. It is just an emotional film."

Later, Lippestad was asked the reason why Breivik cried in court and said: "Well, he answered us but I don't think that I should actually divulge information from a client conversation.

"He has the opportunity to testify over the next few days, I'm sure that he will also touch upon this."

Breivik has admitted detonating a fused bomb in the centre of Oslo and opening fire on people attending a youth summer camp on Utoya island.

He claims the attacks were a political act designed to prevent what he describes as an Islamic invasion of Norway .

Breivik described himself as a "writer" and told the judges: "I do not recognise the Norwegian courts. You have received your mandate from political parties which support multiculturalism."

Last week, his lawyer told reporters Breivik believes he should be facing a military tribunal, not a criminal court.

Breivik first attacked Oslo's government district on July 22 with a 950kg car bomb, which killed eight people and injured more than 200.

Then on Utoya, where the youth wing of the country's Labour Party was holding its annual summer camp, he killed 69 people and injured another 33.

On Monday as the 10-week trial started Breivik was asked what his plea would be. He told the court: "I admit to the acts, but not criminal guilt."