Two Gitmo detainees freed by Justice Dept.

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department says it has released two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to their home countries.

The federal department said it sent Iraqi national Jawad Jabbar Sadkhan back to his homeland after holding him as a suspected Taliban leader. Also freed to his homeland was Mohammed El Gharani, a native of Chad who had been arrested in Pakistan, CNN reported Friday.

Matthew Olsen, executive director of the Guantanamo Review Task Force, praised the governments of the detainees' native lands for their help in the release and relocation process.

"As our review of detainees continues, the support of the international community is critical to the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and the security of our country," Olsen said. "We are grateful for the cooperation of the governments of Iraq and Chad and for their assistance on the successful transfer of these individuals."

The BBC said El Gharani was only 14 when he was arrested in October 2001 on suspicion of being an enemy combatant in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, officials say the Obama administration's plans to let detainees cleared for release from Guantanamo Bay live in the United States are basically scuttled.

The Washington Post said Friday the decision reflects an acknowledgment by the White House of bipartisan congressional opposition to admitting Guantanamo Bay prisoners, but could create difficulties in U.S. efforts to persuade European allies to accept them.