UPDATE - US: Trump calls for halt to Gitmo releases

UPDATES WITH WHITE HOUSE REFUSAL

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to detainee transfers from the controversial U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"There should be no further releases from Gitmo," America's incoming chief executive wrote on Twitter. "These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield."

Trump has in the past said he would send new detainees to the prison. He has also called for the U.S. to reinstate torture of prisoners before making an about-face on that matter after winning the Nov. 8 election.

Undeterred by Trump's demand, the White House insisted more transfers are forthcoming.

"I would expect at this point additional transfers," spokesman Josh Earnest said.

Asked if Trump's call would affect the Obama administration's thinking on transfers, Earnest was succinct: "No, it will not.

"He [Trump] will have an opportunity to implement the policy that he believes is most effective when he takes office on January 20," Earnest said.

The prison at Guantanamo Bay has been mired in controversy stemming from the use of torture and the deaths of detainees at the site.

President Barack Obama has worked throughout his presidency to close the prison, but has met considerable opposition from lawmakers who have banned the transfer of detainees to U.S. facilities. In order to work toward his goal, Obama has relied on third-party countries to receive detainees who have been cleared for release.

Only about a third of the remaining 59 detainees are cleared for release, making it highly unlikely Obama will fulfill the eight-year-old campaign pledge before he leaves office.

There were 242 inmates at the prison when Obama assumed office in 2009.