President Barack Obama on Tuesday said the prison at Guantanamo Bay tarnishes America's image abroad and undermines its national security, as he presented a plan to close the controversal off-shore facility.

"For many years it's been clear that the detention facility at Guantanamo bay does not advance our national security. It undermines it," Obama said in a White House address.

Obama took his case for closing the Guantanamo military prison to the American people Tuesday, saying, "This is about closing a chapter in our history. It reflects the lessons that we've learned since 9/11 -- lessons that need to guide our nation going forward."
Source :AFP