Man Freed To S. Arabia From Guantanamo

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that it had received one of its citizens held at the US prison camps in Cuba's Guantanamo.



Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki said Saudi national Mohamed al-Zahrani arrived in his country on Saturday from Guantanamo Bay where he was held.



He said al-Zahrani's family was notified about his arrival and that preparations were being made for the man to meet his family members.



Al-Turki said al-Zahrani would be part of a care and counseling program.



The program was launched in 2005 to address some of the thoughts of Saudi citizens deemed as "misled" by the government of their country.



Al-Zahrani's release brings the detainee population at Guantanamo down to 142. This detainee population includes eight Saudis.



Al-Zahrani, 45, was held at the US prison camps in Guantanamo 12 years ago and was considered to pose dangers to US interests.



US President Barack Obama said previously that he would seek to close the detention center, which is located in southeast Cuba.



Ahmed al-Masri



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Doha