Prisoners wielding improvised weapons clashed with guards trying to stop a detainee from committing suicide at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the US military said today.

THE number of Guantanamo Bay prisoners taking part in a hunger strike that began nearly five months ago has surged to 84 since Christmas Day.

Hundreds of foreign detainees suspected of terrorist ties will get their first formal opportunity to argue for their release at review panels that the US military is preparing in coming days at its base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.