WASHINGTON: The White House on Friday cancelled a planned meeting on the Guantanamo Bay military prison after media reports that it was close to a decision to shut the Cuba detention centre.

White House spokesman Dana Perino denied that a decision on whether to close the controversial camp was “imminent” but reiterated President George W. Bush's avowed aim to shut the centre “as soon as possible.” “It was a private meeting ... people meet on this issue regularly and frequently,” Perino said.

She admitted that a meeting had been planned for Friday between different federal agencies on Friday to discuss Guantanamo Bay, where some 375 “war on terror” suspects are still being held most without charge, and without access to outside visitors.She would not say why the meeting was cancelled late Thursday, simply saying it had been an ordinary meeting. “I think yesterday's reporting indicates something was imminent. That is not the case,” Perino said.

Time was still needed to work out which of the detainees should be tried by the United States, she said, but insisted there were moves to try to empty the US military base located in southern Cuba.

“This president has been on record over the years of saying he wants to close Guantanamo Bay, he has directed his administration to work towards that end,” she said.—AFP