US sends 2 Gitmo detainees to Serbia

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – Two Guantanamo Bay inmates have been transferred to Serbia, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Muhammadi Davlatov and Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfi were released after a comprehensive review.

Six government departments unanimously approved Davatlov’s transfer while al-Dayfi was released based on a consensus of the departments.

Their releases come as President Barack Obama ramps up efforts to shutter the controversial military prison before his term expires in January 2017.

Obama pledged to close the facility while first running for president in 2007, but has met stiff resistance from lawmakers opposed to the plan.

Shortly after assuming office in 2009, Obama signed an executive order to close the site within a year, but that date has long passed without the prison’s closure.

The Pentagon announced Sunday that Fayiz Ahmad Yahia Suleiman has been transferred to Italy.

With the transfers, 76 inmates remain at Guantanamo, down from a peak of roughly 780 during the George W. Bush administration.