The presentation of a US report on the detention of terrorist suspects has been delayed for six months. A special task force from the US Justice Department was due to present the report to President Barack Obama today.

The report's policy recommendations are a key part of the Obama adminstration's plans to close down the detention facility at the US Guantánamo Bay naval base in Cuba.

A government spokesman says the delay is due to the complexity of the issues involved and is no reflection on Washington's resolve to close down Guantánamo by the start of next year.