Prosecutors at the International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague have wrapped up their case against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for alleged crimes against humanity in Kosovo.

On Tuesday they called their last witness, Canadian military expert Philip Coo, the 124th to be heard in open court.

The command of the military is in the hands of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Witness Philip Coo

In the 95 days of hearings, dozens of witnesses have testified about abuse at the hands of Serb police and army units under Mr Milosevic's ultimate authority.

Other witnesses have been called in an attempt to establish the existence of a chain of command leading from Mr Milosevic to the forces on the ground.

Mr Milosevic blamed many of the deaths on the Kosovo Liberation Army and Nato troops.

Defence case

Mr Coo, who works as a researcher for the prosecution, said: "The command of the military is in the hands of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."

In two weeks, Mr Milosevic will face the most serious charge against him - genocide - in his trial's second phase, which will deal with war-crimes allegations relating to Bosnia and Croatia.

The conflict in Kosovo caused thousands to flee

The former Yugoslav leader has refused to appoint a lawyer to represent him at the tribunal, instead questioning witnesses himself.

He began cross-examining Mr Coo on Tuesday, but the Kosovo phase of the trial is not expected to finish altogether until Wednesday.

Prosecutors have produced 320 exhibits - including maps, photographs, and videos - and heard evidence from a number of witnesses behind closed doors, in order to guarantee their safety.

Mr Milosevic will be given the opportunity to present his defence after prosecutors finish their cases against him, most likely to be some time next year.

Ill health

The trial has been interrupted several times, twice for two weeks because of Mr Milosevic's ill health.

A medical examination in August found him to be at serious risk of a heart attack.

The panel of three judges ordered a lighter working week to allow the 61-year-old ex-president to rest when hearings resumed later this month.

The Kosovo indictment against Mr Milosevic says that he was responsible for the murder of about 900 Kosovo Albanians, and the expulsion of an estimated 800,000 others.

In all, Mr Milosevic faces more than 60 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the conflicts in Kosovo from 1998-99, Croatia from 1991-95 and Bosnia from 1992-95.

He is the first former head of state to be tried on such charges.