Uncertaintly remains over Omar (From The Argus)

Uncertaintly remains over Omar

10:35am Friday 23rd November 2007 in

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The Government has admitted that its chances of freeing Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Deghayes are far from certain.

Ministers began talks with the US Government earlier this year to try to persuade it to release the former Brighton resident, who has languished in the US-run jail in Cuba for five years without facing charges.

It significantly raised the hopes of his release among supporters.

However, Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells has admitted the outcome of negotiations is uncertain.

He said: "Discussions with the US administration are ongoing and are confidential between our governments.

While we continue to give the matter due priority, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful."

Mr Deghayes, a 37-year-old former law student, came to Britain with his family from Libya in 1986, six years after his father Amer was allegedly killed by the Gaddafi regime - an incident reported by Amnesty International at the time.

His family live in Saltdean, Brighton.

He travelled from Britain to Afghanistan where he met and married an Afghan woman with whom he has a son, Suleiman.

Mr Deghayes was taken into custody, allegedly by bounty hunters, in Pakistan in 2002.