KABUL, Afghanistan, March 24 (UPI) -- U.S. and Afghan authorities have agreed to transfer control of Bagram Prison in Afghanistan to the Afghan government, officials said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Afghan President Hamid Karzai reached the deal Saturday, Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement.
"The secretary welcomed President Karzai's commitment that the transfer will be carried out in a way that assures the safety of the Afghan people and coalition forces by keeping dangerous individuals detained in a secure and humane manner in accordance with Afghan law," Little said.
The transfer of power will take place on Monday, Little said.
The agreement comes just two weeks after conversations on the subject of Bagram Prison broke down between the United States and Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported
The United States, which was worried the Afghan side would release dangerous convicts, said that Afghan officials offered "private assurances" that those detainees would not be released.
Bagram is the only remaining U.S. long-term prison in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported. The negotiations over the transfer of control of the prison have been contentious.
