Yemen has received six detainees from the U.S. after they were released from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, last Friday.
Spokesman for the Yemeni embassy in Washington told state media that the transfers took place on Saturday and came as a result of major efforts exerted by the government for the release of the Yemeni citizens at Guantanamo.
The six were: Jamal Muhammad Alawi Mari, Farouq Ali Ahmed,Ayman Saeed Abdullah Batarfi, Muhammaed Yasir Ahmed Taher, Fayad Yahya Ahmed al Rami and Riyad Atiq Ali Abdu al Haf.
Meanwhile, the political counselor at the embassy Khalid Al-Kathiry has said efforts are ongoing to release the rest Yemeni detainees at the U.S. prison due to be closed in January 2010 under U.S. president Barak Obama' orders.
The release followed the transfer of another detainee in September, and all were held for years without trial.
There are still 91 Yemenis, the largest group of the total of 200 detainees at Guantanamo.
During the Bush administration 14 Yemenis were released and returned to their homeland.
Despite the transfers, the U.S. authorities remained concerned about the Yemeni government’s ability to rehabilitate the returnees and ensure they will never regroup; and reluctant to release Yemenis in large numbers.
Earlier this year, the U.S. said it was negotiating with Saudis over sending some or all of the Yemeni detainees to Saudi Arabia, praising the kingdom's rehabilitation programs and centers.
But the Yemeni government resisted the plan, urging the Yemeni detainees should be sent their home and assuring it would do every thing to guarantee they would reintegrate into their society.