Red Cross head to hold talks in Washington

The Guantanamo Bay detention centre is on the agenda of top-level talks in Washington being held with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Jakob Kellenberger arrived in the United States on Wednesday for a two day visit, during which he will meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta.

Discussions will cover “the relationship between the ICRC and the United States, detention-related matters, and the use of force in armed conflicts and other situations of violence”, the organisation said on its website.

The humanitarian situation in some of the ICRC’s main areas of operations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, will also be discussed.

US President Barack Obama promised in his election campaign to close down the controversial detention camp at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. However, requirements imposed by Congress have so far made this impossible. About 170 detainees currently being held there.