Two Gitmo detainees transferred to Algeria

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (UPI) —

Two detainees at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been transferred to Algeria, the U.S. Defense Department said Thursday.

"The United States is grateful to the government of Algeria for its willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility" by accepting Nabil Said Hadjarab and Mutia Sadiq Ahmad Sayyab, the Pentagon said in a release.

"The United States coordinated with the government of Algeria to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures," the Pentagon said.

The six-department interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review then determined Hadjarab and Sayyab met the criteria and approved their transfer by consensus, the Defense Department said.

The Defense Department said 164 detainees remain at the Guantanamo Bay facility.