Geneva ? The international Red Cross said Thursday it has “concerns and questions” on whether a new U.S. anti-terror law signed by President Bush complies with the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war.

The legislation, signed into law Tuesday, authorizes military trials of terrorism suspects, eliminating some of the rights defendants usually are guaranteed under U.S. law while allowing continued harsh interrogations of terror suspects, a provision Bush has said was vital.

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross said it was studying the law, which it said was complex and entailed positive and negative elements. But it said it had some immediate reservations.

“Our preliminary reading of the new legislation raises certain concerns and questions,” said Jakob Kellenberger, president of the Red Cross.