[JURIST] The US Defense Department Thursday announced the release of 16 Saudi Arabian detainees [press release] from Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive]. Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul said that the detainees would now be "subject to the Saudi system." Over 40 Saudi detainees have now been released from the US detention facility since May. A total of 96 detainees have departed Guantanamo Bay during 2006, and a total of 360 detainees have left the facility since 2002. Approximately 415 detainees are still being held at the facility, 100 of whom have been determined eligible for transfer or release.

Last month, the State Department announced [statement] in the context of another release that all detainees determined by Combatant Status Review Tribunals [DOD materials] not to be enemy combatants had been released from Guantanamo [JURIST report]. AP has more.