Obama pledges new push to close Guantanamo Bay prison

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged a new push to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, amid a growing prisoner hunger strike there, BBC News reported.

At the White House, Obama said the detention centre was "contrary to who we are" and harmful to U.S. interests.

He cited recent convictions of terror suspects to argue the civilian justice system was adequate for such trials.

Congress has blocked efforts to close the prison, but Obama said he would renew discussions with lawmakers.

"It is inefficient, it hurts us in terms of our international standing, it lessens co-operation with our allies on counter-terrorism efforts, it is a recruitment tool for extremists, it needs to be closed," Obama said. The president's comments come amid a hunger strike that has spread in recent weeks to include more than 100 of the 166 inmates at the facility. They are protesting against their indefinite detention. Most are being held without charge.