President Barack Obama has vowed the decision to close Guantanamo Bay cannot be retreated, describing the notorious detention centre as a "misguided experiment". In a major speech designed to regain control of an acrimonious debate over national security policy, President Obama raised the prospect of holding the most dangerous detainees in US high-security jails under a new legal framework that would see the camp close by early 2010.

The president, speaking at the US National Archives where the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are held, said the US nation needed to respect the rule of law.

Former vice president Dick Cheney sharply criticised the new US administration's security policy, warning it risked endangering lives as he staunchly defended the tough interrogation methods used by the Bush government. Mr Cheney derided Mr Obama's ban on rough interrogations as "recklessness cloaked as righteousness". The former vice president -speaking within minutes of the president's speech -  said the "enhanced interrogation" programme had helped to save lives.

On Wednesday, the Senate refused to provide funds for closing down Guantanamo. A majority fears some suspected terrorists may be released into the United States or possibly escape from US prisons.

Two hundred-and-forty of the 800 prisoners who were detained under the Bush-era strategy on the war against terrorism are still being held at Guantanamo. Living conditions are deplorable and none of the detainees have ever had a trial.

According to The New York Times, an undisclosed Pentagon report shows that 74 of the 534 suspected terrorists released from Guantanamo have joined terrorist groups or other militants.