The United States says that 61 former detainees from its military prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba appear to have returned to terrorism since their release from custody, according to Reuters.

The news agency reports Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell as saying that 18 former detainees were confirmed as "returning to the fight", while 43 were suspected of having done so in a report issued late in December by the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Rights advocates contend that many Guantanamo detainees have never taken up arms against the United States and say the Defence Department in the past has described former detainees as rejoining "the fight" because they spoke out against the United States government.

President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office next Tuesday, is expected to issue an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates also favors shutting Guantanamo.

Eyewitness News