Transfer of US prisons in Afghanistan halted again

The long-awaited transfer of the US detention centre in Afghanistan has been delayed once again as a deal struck between the two governments broke down the day before a planned handover ceremony.

The long-awaited transfer of the US detention centre in Afghanistan has been delayed once again as a deal struck between the two governments broke down the day before a planned handover ceremony.

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As recently as Friday morning, Afghan workers at the defence ministry were arranging transport for dignitaries and journalists to attend Saturday's ceremony at the detention centre adjoining the Bagram Air Field, a US base about an hour outside of the capital.

Then on Saturday morning, organisers told journalists that the ceremony had been cancelled. Afghan officials declined to give a reason for the cancellation.

US forces spokesman Jamie Graybeal says details of the transfer still needed to be worked out and a full agreement has not been reached.