Surely no self respecting Muslim would not possibly wish to be returned to the worlds most wicked infidel country?.

wayne, huntingdon, cambs

We don't know what Brown's gov. wants with these people. They'll have been visited by our security services and it could be that they have done a deal: information and help in exchange for release from Guatanamo. People need to look at the bigger picture before jumping to conclusions, especially where international terrorism is concerned.

Sue, London, England

if any one as any sence leave them loccked up for good

chas, coventry, uk

As an American I am tired of feeding these fellows and detaining them so that they do not try to kill Americans. Let me personally thank the UKfor accepting responsibility for their care and for assuring that they do not in the future attack Americans. Either the UK believes these fellows are harmless, or will control their activities to assure that they cannot act on a hatred of Americans that we think they continue to harbor. I am not sure which it is, and the British authorities don't seem to address this question. It really doesn't matter since they are taking responsibility for them in any case, but I'm just curious. As for why they have not been accused of any crime in court, either they have broken no American law, or the evidence against them cannot be used in court without compromising security or it is not sufficient to win a conviction with a"beyond reasonable doubt" standard. I still can't figure out why you want these guys so much, can someone help on this?

Mark, Washington, DC USA

britain doesnt capture al qaeda suspects we kiss there backsides and give them a place to hide while the attack the rest of the world to keep our millions of forigeiners happy. your making the mistake of thinking you can go visit a shop in england and find someone here thtat still speaks english since blaire sold the country down the river

george, bagdadchester,

With reference to your headline, Britain does not demand Guantanamo releases, an unelected Scot called Brown demands Guantanamo releases. It should be stressed for foreign readers that there is precious little democracy in this country; most people don't vote because voting doesn't grant you a say in anything of any importance. Switzerland is the only true European democracy. These 'terrorists' would never have become Swiss citizens owing to their referendum system.

Lawrence, Liverpool, England

There is a high probability these individuals became radicalized in Britain. If not why if having residency in the UK where these individuals captured in Afganistan?

With all the protests from the UK and everywhere else in the world regarding the legality of Guantanamo, it is only right to return the detainees to the countries where they resided before traveling to Afganistan to do Jihad.

Let those countries deal with the problems they themselves created. Obviously; judging from the criticism on the US government as regards Guantanamo, these countries know how to deal with the problem these people pose better than the US. (to judge just look at the response to the Iraqui tranlators)

The US should release these detainees, make sure they never touch American soil. When they are found out setting bombs up to kill innocent civilians in Iraq, Afganistan or the UK then it will found out if the are terrorist or not.

RG, NC, US

I have to say the threat of 'so-called' terrorism frightens me far less than a 'so called' democracy that can abuse people's rights so readily. For our somewhat dim texan friends we should remember that these people have been found guilty of nothing. The world hates America for its arrogant and bullying approach to the rest of the world. What terrorism we have, certainly in this country is directly because our craven government choose to adopt the imperialistic and aggressive foreign policies of america who have bullied the world for years. One only has to look at how they blatantly flaunt the UN in respect of Israel and the occupation of Palestine.
If America insist upon being the bullies of the world, our government should at least show some intelligence and humanity to prove to the rest of the world that western democracy still has something to offer.other than brute force, aggressive capitalism and a population tranquilized in a state of total hegemony

AKG, Bristol, England

Yes send them to Britain we are a nation of do-gooders! Six months down the line and these people will have disappeared just like the other terror suspects that the government were alledgedly keeping a close watch on ! All plotting our downfall. These people do not deserve to live in our country !

dean speight, gateshead, tyne and wear

Just beggars belief that any sane Government could be demanding the return of these people. Not UK citizens, caught obviously in Afghanistan, probably wanted in their own countries for some offence, of no benefit to this country as all obviously share extremist views, no doubt will be on benefits once returned. It can only put it down to Labour's self interest and attempt to curry favour and gain votes with the Moslem community.

What is even more stupid is that people are voting for this Government but perhaps that explains why 4000 ethnic Britons are apparently permanently deserting these shores for other countries. The future is grim.

chris, woodbridge, suffolk

"The US claims five terror suspects the UK wants back from Guantanamo Bay have close ties to some of Al-Qaeda’s leaders".

If that is true, why after 4+ years, have they not been taken before the courts?

G.Huws, Gwynedd,

well done to the usa keep that prison forever . what a pity uk ddidnt have one and use it . as our security cant hold any one .

chas, coventry, uk

So what do the British do with the al Qaeda they capture overseas?

ritrow, Buda, TX USA

What does Britain do with the al Qaeda suspects that Britain captures overseas?

ritrow, Buda, TX USA

This Yank would like his British friends to share with Americans what Britain does with the AQ that Britain captures overseas. Rather than barking about what America does at Gitmo, show us your 'Gitmo' so all can see the proper way to proceed.

ritrow, Buda, TX USA

It must be presumed that these individuals were taken whilst not in this country, presumably in Afghanistan, unless of course the CIA was operating on British soil and kidnapping individuals - never mind illegal rendition.

This country owes nothing to these people. Residence here confers the benefits of residence, whilst they are here. Once they leave the country, either for legitimate or illegitimate purposes, they must rely upon their country of citizenship to offer them succour and support if they fall foul of laws of peace or war.

Bill Q, Derby, UK

This Government spokes person does not speak for me. The USA has them & should keep them.

Colin D. Gibbs, Dover, Kent, UK

So they're not British; they were staying here briefly as "asylum seekers" and "refugees" and yet they were picked up (presumably) fighting against us elsewhere in the world. We want them back, why? To increase the insurgency here?

Ellen Morris, Leeds,

In what sense is Omar Deghayes a UK resident? He abandoned a University course, missed an appointment in connection with a application for UK citizenship, went to Afghanistan, and got married.
Would he have wanted to come back, if he hadn't ended up in Guantanamo Bay? As I see it, he's waived his right to be considered a UK resident.

J L Jones, Eastbourne, UK

Why oh why are we bothering ? They are not British citizens, they have not been locked up without a reason. If they are released they will be housed, fed, have money thrown at them by the govornement here in the UK and could still be bombers and terrorists

stan, London,

the labour government appears to care less about British citizens in us judicial custody than it does about these foriegners. It shouls repeal the law that allows USA to extradite our citizens which in its usual one sided view the us has not ratified.

Jeff, Bristol, uk

Excellent. The quiet man is gradually restoring some dignity to this country. The headline says 'demands' - the article says 'requests'. I hope America is in no doubt which we mean.

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

Why on earth is this "Government" concerned with non UK nationals, being held in Guantanamo Bay?
Surely, the Foreign Office has better things to do...i.e. Start deporting the unwanted foreign criminals from our shores.
I am so sick and tired of hearing of the "rights" of these people...what about the rights of tax paying, law abiding BRITISH citizens?
The time is coming when people like me, who have never taken part in a demonstration before, are ready to fight to regain our once GREAT COUNTRY...before it really is too late.

Susannah Forrest, Harrogate Yks, UK

So we condemn interpreters who put their lives on the line to help us to almost certain death by Al-Quaeda murder squads by refusing them asylum; but people who are unable to explain exactly what they were doing running around terrorist training camps in mountains of Afghanistan are welcome to come here and stay as long as they like.

David Milliband - you are a disgrace to your office and should resign immediately if you have any shred of decency.

Peter, London,

This effort to liberate prisoners who are not even British nationals and are suspected terrorists contrasts with the abandonment of Iraqi translators etc who have been helping our forces in Basra, and who face death at the hands of terrorists. This says something about the political leanings of the FO. Apparently any enemy of America is our friend and anyone helping allied forces in Iraq is our enemy. Funny - I don't remember voting for this.

Dr B. Flaks, Congresbury, UK

I dont like Guantanamo but it is nothing to do with us and we should stay well out of it and any British citizen who is in there should be left there or charged with treason. I think this episode really highlights the problems the labour govt and mass immigration of aliens has caused us. I am absolutely horrified that Brown and his cronies are getting involved in this. No doubt they will give these men residency in the UK if they are released, and to what end? To pacify an unpacifiable part of the electorate who should not even be in this country?

Neil McAllister, chesssington, Surrey

To my British friends who are critical of Guantanamo - what do you do with the al Qaeda you capture overseas?

ritrow, Buda, TX USA

Well, there must be a reason for these people being held in that facility. Furthermore, I get the impression that the British government sticks its nose in places it doesn't belong. They better leave the european governments handle their own business on their own. I somehow have the impression they can do a single to pressure the USA to release these inmates. They should know that by now. Have the british government really ever thought about the fact that the native countries of these inmates probably have never bothered to address their cases? I'd say it's about time the british government starts taking care of the british people before trying to save all the desperate needy on this earth.

Richard L, Hannover, FRG

These so called British residents should not be returned to this country they have commited a crime against this country which should be held in the same respects as treason which under the tory party carried the death penalty it is only the stupidity of this government and its willingnes to pander to the minority in this country that encourages people like mr Milliband to come up with these stupid ideas. The fact that less people voted for Labour than, than voted against Labour should serve notice that the vast majority of people in this country do not want labour or Mr brown to lead this country but someone who actually listens to what the majority of us want .

Simon, Liskeard, UK

Nice bit of New Labour grandstanding and double speak. I'm sure it will play well to the anti-american left and the Islamic lobby.

Andrew Brown, derby, UK

Is this not simply a classic example of naked politicking at its basest,most cynical level ? Brown is desperate to prove to the electorate just how different he is to Blair: he meets President Bush, negotiates the release of the five 'British' residents in Guantanamo and hopes this 'buys' the muslim vote at the next General Election.
This blatant electioneering ploy will probabaly fool many but let us all remember that Brown and Blair come out of the same New Labour mould.

Rick, London, England

"5 years detention. 5 years without TV, Books, Radio and outside world. They should be compensated over 100,000 british pounds each from the Bush Adminstration"

No, they should not be welcome in Britain and if they are let in, will probably join the ranks of the other 2000 Muslims under terrorist surveillance.

How clearly does this have to be stated: INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE AGAINST TERRORISTS IS A COMPLICATED AND PROBLEMATIC MATTER. The chances are, most of the G Bay inmates are unpleasant and dangerous people, regardless of lack of incriminating evidence that would stand up in court and could be mentioned in court for security reasons.

For goodness sake, stop this ridiculous PC, Left wing nonsense.

Joe, Manchester,

If they weren't terrorists before, five years in Guantanamo would make even a saint a little disenchanted with the United States.
The British invented the concentration camp in the Boer War, and the memory still haunts Britain as a nation. Guantanamo with be thrown in the faces of the United States in 100 years' time. "Guantanamo, the Caribbean holiday of a lifetime. Make that for a lifetime."
All I can see are bad guys and worse guys.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa

About time!

Farrukh, Woking, UK

About time too.

Government silence about (and perhaps even complicity in) the detention without trial of these British residents, who have had no opportunity to contest the "evidence" against them in a court of law, is betrayal of the principles that our government claims to defend.

Andrew Watson, Cambridge, UK

5 years detention. 5 years without TV, Books, Radio and outside world. They should be compensated over 100,000 british pounds each from the Bush Adminstration. But remember what ever money they recieve it can't give them the 5 years they spent in detention back. We know the Bush Administration aren't going to give anything so it is justified if those 5 men burn pictures of the people in the Bush Administration. And if most Americans are going to carry on keeping a blind eye on the crimes of the Bush Administration then it would be justified if USA flags get burnt.

Slater, Manchester, UK

They are not british cirizens.

Why should we want them. We have enough I would like to see gotten rid of without letting in more.

I suppose our new PM will have a load of do gooders looking after em.

Seams like we replaced Blair with another all are welcome PM.

No change there then.

John Ryan, Oldbury, UK

It beggars belief that this idiotic Government is actually asking for these individuals to be brought back here. Don't we have enough troubles on our plates at the moment?

Why are we bringin these non-citizens to this country? Why can't they just be slung back to whence they came, especially as they may well prove to be security risks?

More absolute idiocy of the loony Left.

Malcolm, London, UK

Did the PM request or demand their return? Just curious because the quote says he made a request yet the title of the article uses the far more exclaminatory word demand, which appears nowhere in the PM's comments.

David Levey, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

COME ON YOU ALL (Texas Slang) If the Bush administration says no, it must be. They would never lie to their fellow friends would they? And who would risk it from the Bush administration? They proved corruptions at the United Nations after they did not support a claim of WMD. Besides, Iraq was under control before they killed the former dictator. We have an honest k i l l i n g administration.

Bush_Wacker, Philly, PA

So Liberty says that "...internment, kidnap and torture have been completely counterproductive in the struggle against terrorism".

Such a shame that Western liberals don't spend quite such time protesting the murder of innocent Iraqi men, women and children day in day out. The people kiled on 7/7 were not the subject of any charge, they were not tried by court nor found guilty after due process. They did not receive the benefit of free legal advice nor was their plight the subject of judicial intervention. Yet their fate has not been the subject of 1/10 the material written about Gitmo.

It seems to me that "...internment, kidnap and torture..." have been very effective weapons when applied by Islamic extremists.

H, London,

Do we have a 'moral responsibility' to these men? I don't think so. They are foreign nationals, not citizens. Why aren't their own countries requesting their return?

What the government should be doing is allowing the Iraqi translators asylum. Their lives are now at risk because of the help they have given our troops. Unfortunately New Labour has a history of ignoring those who aid our country, whilst giving shelter to many who have done little or nothing, and in some cases are a danger to our security.

Lin, London, UK

So Milliband's colours are beginning to show - with the permission, of course, of Brown and the lesser Brown (Malloch-) his puppet meister. Has no one at the FCO ever heard the old axiom: "Leave well enough alone!"

Pilloch-Brown will have a lot to answer for in the coming months one suspects.

Frank P, King's Lynn, UK

What a contrast with the plight of the Iraqi interpreters

T Sedman-Smith, Worcs,