No Guantanamo closure

US President George W Bush has turned down a request by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the US should close its detention facility in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, saying it is a 8216;8216;necessary part of protecting the American people.8217;8217;

The detention centre is seen in Europe as a symbol of the administration8217;s excesses in the war against terror. which houses some 500 foreign-born prisoners. ng with Merkel. The White House has had some testy relationship with Merkel8217;s predecessor and has been anxious to mend fences with a major power in Europe. Both leaders are said to have exchanged views in a friendly and a candid fashion on a wide range of issues, including Guantanamo Bay. 8212; Reuters