A 'dozen' Guantanamo detainees to be transferred to two countries

91 people are still being detained at Guantanamo Bay prison Credit: Reuters/Handout

The Pentagon has told US Congress that around a dozen prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay are to be transferred to at least two countries, a US official has said.

There are 91 people still being held at the military prison at a US naval base in Cuba.

Barack Obama is seeking to close the prison before he leaves office in January.

The US President wants to close Guantanamo Bay prison before he leaves office in January Credit: Reuters/Carlos Barria

An unnamed official said the first of the transfers are expected to take place in the next few days with others occurring in the coming weeks.

Among the group will be Tariq Ba Odah, a Yemeni man who has been on a long-term hunger strike, the official said.