Italy has agreed to take three detainees from the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, US President Barack Obama has said.
He announced the agreement after talks on Monday with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the White House.
The US seeks to transfer detainees to other countries or US communities after Mr Obama's pledge to close the camp.
The European Union earlier endorsed a deal with Washington to transfer some inmates to Europe.
"I... thanked the prime minister for his support of our policy of closing Guantanamo," Mr Obama said after meeting Mr Berlusconi.
"This is not just talk. Italy has agreed to accept three specific detainees."
The identities of the prisoners have not been not disclosed.
Guantanamo Bay officials have been attempting to fulfil President Obama's order to close the detention facility by early next year.
Last week, the US relocated nine detainees from the camp, transferring three to Saudi Arabia, four to Bermuda, one to Iraq and another to Chad.
Correspondents say officials are having difficulty finding governments willing to accept the remaining detainees, while at home they face stiff resistance to the idea of Guantanamo detainees being transferred to US soil.
Some 220 detainees are still being held at the US camp in Cuba, many without charge.
He announced the agreement after talks on Monday with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the White House.
The US seeks to transfer detainees to other countries or US communities after Mr Obama's pledge to close the camp.
The European Union earlier endorsed a deal with Washington to transfer some inmates to Europe.
"I... thanked the prime minister for his support of our policy of closing Guantanamo," Mr Obama said after meeting Mr Berlusconi.
"This is not just talk. Italy has agreed to accept three specific detainees."
The identities of the prisoners have not been not disclosed.
Guantanamo Bay officials have been attempting to fulfil President Obama's order to close the detention facility by early next year.
Last week, the US relocated nine detainees from the camp, transferring three to Saudi Arabia, four to Bermuda, one to Iraq and another to Chad.
Correspondents say officials are having difficulty finding governments willing to accept the remaining detainees, while at home they face stiff resistance to the idea of Guantanamo detainees being transferred to US soil.
Some 220 detainees are still being held at the US camp in Cuba, many without charge.
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