This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7807084.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK call to help close Guantanamo UK call to help close Guantanamo
(30 minutes later)
The British government is pressing European countries to help resettle inmates from Guantanamo Bay detention centre, the Foreign Office has said.The British government is pressing European countries to help resettle inmates from Guantanamo Bay detention centre, the Foreign Office has said.
US president-elect, Barack Obama, plans to close the camp in Cuba. Some 50 of the 250 inmates are said to have been given release clearance.US president-elect, Barack Obama, plans to close the camp in Cuba. Some 50 of the 250 inmates are said to have been given release clearance.
The Times newspaper reported Britain was preparing to deal with detainees.The Times newspaper reported Britain was preparing to deal with detainees.
Britain has not overtly offered asylum, but said it accepted the US would need help closing the facility.Britain has not overtly offered asylum, but said it accepted the US would need help closing the facility.
The US cannot repatriate all the detainees due to risk of mistreatment, and remains unknown what status they will be given in countries they are moved to.The US cannot repatriate all the detainees due to risk of mistreatment, and remains unknown what status they will be given in countries they are moved to.
Portugal has offered to take some and Germany is considering following suit.Portugal has offered to take some and Germany is considering following suit.
'Legal difficulties''Legal difficulties'
The Foreign Office said: "We have made it clear that we think Guantanamo Bay should be closed.The Foreign Office said: "We have made it clear that we think Guantanamo Bay should be closed.
"We recognise the legal, technical and other difficulties and that the US will require assistance from allies and partners to make this happen.""We recognise the legal, technical and other difficulties and that the US will require assistance from allies and partners to make this happen."
An article in the Times newspaper quotes a Downing Street official saying Britain was putting in place a process to deal with detainees and decisions "would be for the home secretary on a case-by-case basis".An article in the Times newspaper quotes a Downing Street official saying Britain was putting in place a process to deal with detainees and decisions "would be for the home secretary on a case-by-case basis".
It also quotes a Whitehall source as saying: "Of course the Foreign Office wants to do it, they want to get off to a good start with Obama.It also quotes a Whitehall source as saying: "Of course the Foreign Office wants to do it, they want to get off to a good start with Obama.
"This is the sort of thing that will require a Cabinet-level decision.""This is the sort of thing that will require a Cabinet-level decision."
The Conservative Party demanded that Foreign Secretary David Miliband clarified the situation.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "The Foreign Secretary must explain urgently whether this is true, how many Guantanamo inmates would be admitted to Britain, by what criteria they would be selected, and what assurances would be given about their behaviour in the future."
It is understood some suspects will be tried on US mainland, but others, who have been cleared for release, have not been accepted by their home countries or neutral countries.It is understood some suspects will be tried on US mainland, but others, who have been cleared for release, have not been accepted by their home countries or neutral countries.
For example, the US said a group of Muslim Uighurs from western China's Xinjiang province could be freed.For example, the US said a group of Muslim Uighurs from western China's Xinjiang province could be freed.
But the only country willing to take them is China where the men fear they could face persecution as dissidents.But the only country willing to take them is China where the men fear they could face persecution as dissidents.
Britain has taken back all British nationals and also four inmates who were formerly British residents though not nationals.Britain has taken back all British nationals and also four inmates who were formerly British residents though not nationals.
The Foreign Office said it was continuing to press for the release of the two remaining former British residents.The Foreign Office said it was continuing to press for the release of the two remaining former British residents.
Terrorism linksTerrorism links
In an open letter in December, Portugal's foreign minister urged fellow EU states to accept Guantanamo detainees.In an open letter in December, Portugal's foreign minister urged fellow EU states to accept Guantanamo detainees.
The German foreign ministry later said it was looking into the legal, political and practical implications of such a move.The German foreign ministry later said it was looking into the legal, political and practical implications of such a move.
BBC World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said it was understood there were some divisions in Europe over the issue.BBC World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said it was understood there were some divisions in Europe over the issue.
The matter may be raised at a meeting of the EU's general affairs and external relations council later this month.The matter may be raised at a meeting of the EU's general affairs and external relations council later this month.
The US has made no formal request to the EU, and there is unlikely to be one before the Obama administration takes office.The US has made no formal request to the EU, and there is unlikely to be one before the Obama administration takes office.
The president-elect has indicated that he wants the camp - where men suspected of links to terrorism or al-Qaeda have been held without trial as "unlawful enemy combatants" - to be closed within two years.The president-elect has indicated that he wants the camp - where men suspected of links to terrorism or al-Qaeda have been held without trial as "unlawful enemy combatants" - to be closed within two years.