(MENAFN- QNA) United States President Barack Obama says he plans to renew efforts to shut the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, amid a growing hunger strike by inmates.
Mr. Obama in a White House news conference on Tuesday said he would try to persuade Congress to end restrictions that have prevented him from closing the prison camp.
He told reporters that the US must re-evaluate how it handles terrorist suspects.
"I continue to believe we have to close Guantanamo. I think it is critical for us to understand that Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe," Obama said.
His comments were the strongest on the prison in months and appeared to reflect his frustration over his failed attempt to close the prison in this first term.
"It is expensive. It is inefficient. It hurts us in terms of our international standing. It lessens cooperation with our allies on counter-terrorism efforts. It is a recruiting tool for extremists," he was quoted by TVC NEWS as adding.
In 2008, Obama had campaigned on closing the facility and had even signed an order stipulating as much on his first day in office in 2009.
But he was blocked by Congress which passed restrictions on the transfer of detainees to the United States and other countries.
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