[JURIST] The US Department of Defense (DOD) announced the transfer of two more Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainees Thursday – one to Afghanistan and another to Morocco, reducing to approximately 380 the number of detainees remaining at Guantanamo. According to a DOD press release [text], these latest transfers

are a demonstration of the United States’ desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing – an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.

The Department of Defense has determined – through its comprehensive review processes – that approximately 80 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

The Department says that some 80 detainees held at the US military prison are currently eligible for transfer back to their home countries, including 55 deemed eligible [JURIST report] last month after a second round [summary, PDF] of administrative review board (ARB) [DOD materials] hearings held at Guantanamo between January 30, 2006 and December 6, 2006. DOD has more.