MALAYSIA TO FOLLOW UP ON GITMO DUO WITH US STATE DEPT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Ambassador-designate to the United States
Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis will follow up on the issue of the two Malaysians held at
Guantanamo Bay.

Jamaluddin who will depart for Washington Saturday, said this would be among
his key agenda when he assumes the post.

"I will discuss the matter with the Foreign Minister and follow it up with
the US State Department," he told reporters after hosting a breaking of fast
reception for the CEOs of leading American companies in Malaysia, here, Friday
night.

The issue of the two detainees was brought up by Prime Minister Najib Razak
during his phone conversation with US President Barack Obama in June.

In the conversation, Najib requested that the US authority hand over the
duo to Malaysia, adding that Malaysia was willing to accept them and allow their
detention to continue here.

The two, Mohd Farik Amin or Zaid (Zubair) and Mohammed Nazir Lep or
Bashir Lep (Lillie), held at Guantanamo Bay for alleged involvement in the
militant group Jemaah Islamiah and Al-Qaeda since 2003, are among 250 detainees
at the US top security facility.

Earlier in his speech, Jamaluddin said he would help arrange Najib's
visit to the US to further boost diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"Hopefully, we can make it in November. It will be a sizeable agenda
which revolves around boosting trade and investment, especially in the IT and
bio-technology sectors," he said.
-- BERNAMA