The US official responsible for negotiating the transfers of terror suspects from the American-run prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is leaving his post, the State Department said late Monday.
However, the New York Times, citing an administration official, reported late Monday that Cliff Sloan was dissatisfied that too few inmates had been cleared for release by the Pentagon. The daily has described Saloan’s resignation as yet another blow to President Obama’s efforts to close a facility that top administration officials say is a blight on the country’s international standing.
Sloan also played a major role in successful efforts by the administration to reform the congressional restrictions on foreign transfers, according to the AFP.
His departure comes as the administration strives to empty the detention facility -- one of the very first goals set by Obama when he took office in January 2009.
Obama has vowed to close the prison in Cuba, set up to house terror suspects following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Inmate transfers to Afghanistan late last week left 132 detainees at Guantanamo.
