US defence officials are working on plans to shut down the notorious Guanatanamo Bay prison camp.

The Pentagon is preparing a closure strategy that will be available to President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office on January 20.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates has asked his staff to come up with an assessment of what it would take to shutter the prison camp that has become a blemish on the international reputation of the US.

"If this is one of the President-elect's first orders of business, the secretary wants to be prepared to help him as soon as possible," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.

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"Mr Gates has asked his team for a proposal on how to shut it down - what would be required specifically to close it, and move the detainees from that facility, while at the same time, of course, ensuring that we protect the American people from some dangerous characters."

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