Around the World: Australia

No deal on Gitmo inmates

Australia will likely reject a US request to accept detainees freed from the Guantanamo Bay military prison, the acting prime minister said on Friday.

Julia Gillard said US President George W. Bush's administration made the request in early December after President-elect Barack Obama announced he planned to close the prison. Australia had rejected a similar request in early 2008, said Gillard, who is filling in for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd while he is on vacation. "Australia, as an ally of the United States, is examining this second request," she said in a statement. "Notwithstanding that, it is unlikely Australia would accept these detainees."