A US Army private accused of leaking classified material to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks will be back in a military courtroom for an arraignment later this month.

The arraignment for Private Bradley Manning will be held at Fort Meade, Maryland, on February 23.

Manning faces a general court-martial on 22 counts, including aiding the enemy, which carries a possible life sentence.

At the arraignment, Manning can request a trial by military judge or jury. The jury would include at least five officers, and Manning can ask that at least one-third of the soldiers on the panel be enlisted.

Military prosecutors say Manning gave WikiLeaks a hoard of sensitive battlefield reports and diplomatic cables.

Defence lawyers say Manning was a troubled soldier who should not have had access to classified material.