The United States has secured promises from a clutch of European nations to take in detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, bolstering efforts to close the controversial prison.

Nine European Union countries are in talks to resettle detainees, the Washington Post reported Thursday, citing unnamed officials in President Barack Obama's administration.

Four of the countries are "committed" to rehousing prisoners already cleared for release and currently being held at the detention camp on the US naval base in southeast Cuba. Five other nations are considering the move.

Ready for release
There are still 229 prisoners at the camp, opened in January 2002 by former president George Bush to hold "enemy combatants" in the US "war on terror." Obama has ordered the camp to be closed by January next year.

Some 80 prisoners are ready for release, and the Post said if resettling agreements could be made, a reduced detainee population will likely ease the political charged debate on moving remaining prisoners to a facility on US soil.

"Positive talks"
This month Portugal joined Bermuda, France, Ireland, Bermuda and the Pacific archipelago of Palau in agreeing to accept detainees.

Australia and Georgia have held "positive talks" with the Obama administration on taking in detainees, the Post said, citing US officials.

The administration has also already formally approached or plans to talk with a number of South American nations as well as countries in the Persian Gulf, the Balkans and the former Soviet Union on the issue, according to the daily.

(Source: Reuters