Government ‘was obliged to pay A 1m to terrorist’

The disclosure that the government paid 1 million compensation for unfair detainment to a British suicide bomber who was operating for so-called Islamic State seems scandalous. But a senior lawyer with a close knowledge of the case says the then Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke, would have felt he had no choice – in that failure to make the out-of-court settlement with Jamal al-Harith would have resulted in highly sensitive security information being disclosed in a court case.

Guantanamo Bay Prison ‘Healthy’ For National Security: White House

The Trump administration has indicated that it is unlikely to close the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison for dangerous terror suspects, saying it is serving a “healthy purpose” towards the national security, the Press Trust of India reported. “I think he has made very clear though, that he believes that Guantanamo Bay does serve a very, very healthy purpose in our national security and making sure that we don’t bring terrorists to our seas,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters on Tuesday.

The Latest: White House acknowledges Obama can’t close Gitmo

White House press secretary Josh Earnest listens as President Barack Obama speaks at his final daily press briefing, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. White House press secretary Josh Earnest listens as President Barack Obama speaks at his final daily press briefing, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington.

Oman says it accepts 10 Guantanamo Bay detainees

Oman said Monday it accepted 10 detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay ahead of President Barack Obama leaving office, part of his efforts to shrink the facility he promised to close. Oman’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had accepted the prisoners at Obama’s request.

Oman says it accepts 10 Guantanamo Bay inmates at US request

Oman said Monday it accepted 10 inmates from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay ahead of President Barack Obama leaving office, part of his efforts to shrink the facility he promised to close. Oman’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Oman News Agency that it had accepted the prisoners at Obama’s request.

US transfers more Guantanamo prisoners

The Pentagon announced Thursday that four inmates were transferred from the Guantanamo Bay prison to Saudi Arabia, dropping the prison’s population to 55. “The United States is grateful to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility,” the Pentagon said in a statement. The news comes amid reports President Barack Obama is attempting to empty the facility as much as possible prior to Inauguration Day.