LONDON, Aug 7: The foreign secretary and the home secretary have decided to request the release from Guantanamo Bay and return to the UK of five men who, whilst not UK nationals, were legally resident here prior to their detention.

According to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) press release issued here on Tuesday, the foreign secretary has written to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to formally make this request.

Welcoming the recent steps taken by the US government to reduce the numbers of those detained at Guantanamo Bay and to move towards the closure of the detention facility, the FCO release also noted an increasing emphasis on engagement with third countries over the transfer and resettlement of detained persons.

The foreign secretary and home secretary have reviewed the government’s approach to the group of individuals in light of the ongoing developments, the UK government’s long-held policy aim of securing the closure of Guantanamo Bay, and the need to maintain national security.

Those whose release and return are being sought have links to the UK as former residents, having been granted refugee status, indefinite leave or exceptional leave to remain prior to their detention. The five are: Shaker Aamer, Jamil El Banna, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohamed and Abdennour Sameur.

UK’s representations are limited to those with links to the United Kingdom as evidenced by their past lawful residence here.

Discussions with the US government about the release and return of these five men are expected to take some time.

The FCO release said the government will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain national security. Should these men be returned to the UK, the same security considerations and actions will apply to them as would apply to any other foreign national in this country.