WASHINGTON: The Obama administration came under fire on Thursday over the disappearance of a former Guantanamo Bay inmate in Uruguay, as Republican lawmakers voiced fears he and others freed from the military prison could again threaten America.

Jihad Diyab — a 44-year-old Syrian who was resettled in Uruguay in 2014 along with five other ex-detainees — went off the South American country’s radar several weeks ago after apparently evading border controls and crossing into Brazil.

The disappearance has sharpened US debate over President Barack Obama administration’s push to resettle other detainees, especially amid security concerns as the Olympics are set to kick off in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2016