While it was a widely expected move, it has now finally happened! President Obama has ordered the closure of Guantanamo! From the BBC:
US President Barack Obama has ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp within one year.
The order fulfils a long-standing pledge by Mr Obama.
At Mr Obama's request, military judges have already suspended several of the trials of terror suspects at the Guantanamo detention centre.
He has also ordered a review of the military trials and a ban of harsh interrogation techniques that many consider to amount to torture.
How wonderful to have a rational government again!
There is not yet any word on what will be done with the existing inmates, though the year long timeline gives the administration ample time to figure it out. As long as it is done in full view of the public (rather than hidden behind State Secrets privileges), I'll be happy enough.
UPDATE: Politico reports that the White House counsel and deputy counsel will brief the press on the new orders at Noon today. This will be before the first press conference from Gibbs.
Apparently there were 4 executive orders signed dealing with: new interrogation policies, closure of Guantanamo, and a task force to decide on how to deal with current detainees.
UPDATE 2: I added the "widely expected move" to the first sentence.
UPDATE 3: Thanks to JohnAdams999 for the link to the TPM story about this from the comments. It included a quote from President Obama after signing the orders:
The message we are sending around the world is that the US intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly, we are going to do so effectively, and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals ... We intend to win this fight, and we intend to win it on our terms.