Barack Obama seeks ‘fair hearing’ for Gitmo plan to close prison at Guantanamo Bay

US president Barack Obama urged lawmakers to give his plan to close the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay a “fair hearing” and said he did not want to pass the issue to his successor when he leaves the White House next year.

The Pentagon proposal suggests 13 potential sites on US soil for the transfer of remaining detainees but does not identify the facilities or endorse a specific one, administration officials said.

Mr Obama pledged to close the prison and move the detainees as a candidate for the White House in 2008.