WASHINGTON, Sept 2: A Pakistani national was among the three prisoners released this week from the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.

The Pakistani national had been transferred to Pakistan while two others were sent to Afghanistan, the announcement said.

“These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes,” a Pentagon official said.

The US Department of Defence did not disclose their names or any other details about them. Their release brought the total number of people still held at Guantanamo to about 255.

“The transfer is a demonstration of the US desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary,” the Pentagon official said. “It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention.”

The US Department of Defence has determined — through its comprehensive review processes -– that more than 60 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. The Pentagon is discussing their transfer to the countries of their origin.

Since 2002, more than 500 Guantanamo detainees have been sent to the countries of their origin including Albania, Algeria, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia.