US President Barack Obama has confirmed that he has received security guarantees from Qatar over five Guantanamo Bay prisoners who were transferred to secure the release of a US soldier in Afghanistan.
After the release of the US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, President Obama told reporters the Qatari government had given the US assurances “that it will put in place measures to protect our national security”.
US Army Sergeant Bowe was handed to US forces after being held for nearly five years by Afghan Taliban. He has left Afghanistan and is en route to a US military hospital in Germany.
Five Afghan detainees were released from the US prison in Cuba and handed to Qatar, which mediated the deal.
His parents said they were “joyful and relieved” to hear of their son’s release.
