Guantanamo hunger strike continues as Ramadan approaches

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, July 7 (UPI) -- More than 100 inmates remained on a hunger strike at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on the eve of Ramadan, the military said.

The protest began in February, and military prison officials said this weekend that 106 were refusing to eat, 45 of whom were under orders to be force fed.

The protest began over what the United States said were false rumors that Guantanamo guards were desecrating the Muslim Koran. There was also a growing despair that Guantanamo was still operating after President Obama had pledged to shut down the prison.

The Miami Herald said prison officials denied a report that two inmates had ended their strike and had resumed eating.

The newspaper also noted the monthlong Ramadan holiday begins Monday and traditionally includes a series of fasts and feasts.