Pentagon transfers Guantanamo prisoner to Morocco

9/18/2015 5:05:47 AM

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) -Guantanamo Bay prisoner Younis Abdurrahman Chekkouri has been transferredtoMorocco the U.S. said Thursday.

"Chekkouri was unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force [Guantanamo Review Task Force]” Pentagon spokesmanCmdr. Gary Ross said in a statement.

"The United States is grateful to the government of Morocco for its willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility" Ross said.

The transfer approval was the result of a comprehensive reviewthat examined a number of factors including security and is part of a directive byPresident Barack Obama who said he wanted to close the controversial prison shortly after assuming office.

The prison was established in the wake of the Sept. 11 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

With Chekkouri’s transfer 115detainees now remain at GuantanamoBay after a high of almost 800 according to the Pentagon.The U.S. transferred 17 detainees to Oman in June andthree othersto Qatar in April.

This latest transfer comes just two days ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba before he headstoWashington New York and Philadelphia.

The popeplayed a key role in helping to begin to thaw relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

He sent letters to Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castrourging the leaders to end the decades-long hostility. He alsoofferedthe Vatican as ameeting place for representatives of the two countries.

Last week Cuba released more than 3500 prisoners ahead of Francis’ visit.

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