Jail handover important milestone: US

WASHINGTON (PAN): US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called President Hamid Karzai on the transfer of the notorious Bagram Detention Centre from US troops to local personnel, a Pentagon official said on Monday, and termed it as an important milestone.

During the call, which was cordial, the two leaders expressed their shared commitment to the terms of the memorandum of understanding on detention operations in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters during an off-camera news conference.

The formal transfer of the prison to Afghan forces was an “important milestone,” Little said. The US remained committed to the handover of the remaining detainees, he said, when asked about the 50 prisoners still in American custody.

“The phone call did involve discussion of the issue. Secretary (Panetta) and President Karzai expressed their desire to implement the terms of the agreement,” he said, adding that it was the focus of the call. “The call between Panetta and Karzai was cordial.”

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