Albania takes more Guantanamo inmates

Albania previously accepted eight inmates released from the US prison camp on Cuba, including five Chinese Uighur Muslims.

TIRANA, February 24, 2010 (AFP) - Albania has agreed to accept three more Guantanamo Bay inmates, an interior ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

Tirana, which has already accept eight detainees from Guantanamo, will accommodate Saleh Ben Hadi Asasi from Tunisia, Sharif Fati Ali al Mishat from Egypt and Libyan citizen Abdul Rauf Omar Mohammed Abu al Qusin, Fatmir Konja told reporters.

"The decision was made following an accord between Albania and the United States," Konja said.

"The two states are on their way to work out modalities of their transfer and will continue consultations about the treatment of those people," he added.

Albania previously accepted eight inmates released from the US prison camp on Cuba, including five Chinese Uighur Muslims, despite opposition from China.

Washington failed to meet President Barack Obama's self-imposed January 22 deadline to close the prison, where some 200 detainees remain, including dozens already cleared for release.

Most have been held without charge or trial on suspicions of terrorism.