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Barack Obama says Guantanamo Bay prison must close Barack Obama says Guantanamo Bay prison must close
(35 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has pledged a new push to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, amid a growing prisoner hunger strike there.US President Barack Obama has pledged a new push to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, amid a growing prisoner hunger strike there.
At the White House, Mr Obama said the detention centre was "contrary to who we are" and harmful to US interests.At the White House, Mr Obama said the detention centre was "contrary to who we are" and harmful to US interests.
He cited recent convictions of terror suspects to argue the civilian justice system was adequate for such trials.He cited recent convictions of terror suspects to argue the civilian justice system was adequate for such trials.
Congress has blocked efforts to close the prison, but Mr Obama said he would renew discussions with lawmakers.Congress has blocked efforts to close the prison, but Mr Obama said he would renew discussions with lawmakers.
Mr Obama told reporters he had asked a team of officials to review operations at Guantanamo Bay and said he was not surprised there were problems there.
"It is inefficient, it hurts us in terms of our international standing, it lessens co-operation with our allies on counter-terrorism efforts, it is a recruitment tool for extremists, it needs to be closed," Mr Obama said."It is inefficient, it hurts us in terms of our international standing, it lessens co-operation with our allies on counter-terrorism efforts, it is a recruitment tool for extremists, it needs to be closed," Mr Obama said.
'No longer necessary''No longer necessary'
He described the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay as a "lingering problem" that would worsen if action were not taken to close it. He described the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay as a "lingering problem" that would worsen if it remained open.
"I think it is critical for us to understand that Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe," Mr Obama told reporters."I think it is critical for us to understand that Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe," Mr Obama told reporters.
Mr Obama added that with the war in Iraq ended and detention authority in Afghanistan transferred to Afghan forces, the facility in Cuba should also close.Mr Obama added that with the war in Iraq ended and detention authority in Afghanistan transferred to Afghan forces, the facility in Cuba should also close.
He also said he would need the help of Congress to devise a long-term legal solution to the prosecution of detainees.
The president's comments come amid a hunger strike that has spread in recent weeks to include more than 100 of the 166 inmates at the facility.The president's comments come amid a hunger strike that has spread in recent weeks to include more than 100 of the 166 inmates at the facility.
They are protesting against their indefinite detention. Most are being held without charge.They are protesting against their indefinite detention. Most are being held without charge.
In his remarks, the president seemed to support the US practice of force-feeding some hunger-strikers.In his remarks, the president seemed to support the US practice of force-feeding some hunger-strikers.
"I don't want these individuals to die," he said. "Obviously the Pentagon is trying to manage the situation as best we can.""I don't want these individuals to die," he said. "Obviously the Pentagon is trying to manage the situation as best we can."
And he said he would need the help of Congress to devise a long-term legal solution to the prosecution of detainees. The US has had to reinforce medical staff at Guantanamo Bay, with about 40 nurses and other specialists arriving at the weekend, according to a camp spokesman.
Cleared for release
The strike began in February but spread in recent weeks to include more than 100 of the 166 people held at the facility.
Guantanamo officials deny claims that the strike began after copies of the Koran were mishandled during searches of prisoners' cells.
Violence erupted at the prison on 13 April as the authorities moved inmates out of communal cellblocks where they had covered surveillance cameras and windows.
Some prisoners used "improvised weapons" and were met with "less-than-lethal rounds", camp officials said, but no serious injuries were reported.
Nearly 100 of the detainees have reportedly been cleared for release but remain at the facility because of restrictions imposed by Congress and also concerns of possible mistreatment if they are sent back to their home countries.
Soon after his election, Mr Obama made closing Guantanamo Bay a top priority for his new administration, pledging to close it within a year of his inauguration in January 2009.Soon after his election, Mr Obama made closing Guantanamo Bay a top priority for his new administration, pledging to close it within a year of his inauguration in January 2009.
But his plan to transfer prisoners to maximum security prisons in the US and try some detainees in the civilian justice system met fierce resistance from lawmakers of both parties.But his plan to transfer prisoners to maximum security prisons in the US and try some detainees in the civilian justice system met fierce resistance from lawmakers of both parties.