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Obama acts on Guantanamo trials Obama plea stops Guantanamo trial
(about 3 hours later)
Barack Obama has requested the suspension of all military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay, in his first major act as US president. The military trial of an inmate held at Guantanamo Bay has been suspended after a request by US President Barack Obama.
The request could halt proceedings in 21 pending cases, including those against five men accused of plotting the 11 September 2001 attacks. In one of his first acts as president, Mr Obama asked for a temporary halt to all tribunals to review the process.
The halt would give Mr Obama time to review the tribunal process. The judge in the case of Omar Khadr - a Canadian man accused of killing an American soldier in Afghanistan in 2002 - has suspended the case for 120 days.
The new president is beginning his first working day by meeting economic advisers and top military commanders. There are 21 pending cases, including those against five men accused of plotting the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Most of his cabinet is in place but several key posts are still to be confirmed. The judge in that case will consider the president's request later on Wednesday.
Mr Obama himself attended inaugural balls late into Tuesday night, as America marked the arrival of its 44th president and first African-American leader.
'Ideals versus safety'
Mr Obama has repeatedly promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, where some 250 inmates accused of having links to terrorism remain.Mr Obama has repeatedly promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, where some 250 inmates accused of having links to terrorism remain.
It will be these tonal changes that make Obama's America much more palatable to Europeans Justin WebbBBC North America editor Justin Webb's AmericaThe Big Picture: Inauguration
Just hours after taking the oath of office on the steps of the US Capitol, he moved to halt the controversial process of military tribunals.Just hours after taking the oath of office on the steps of the US Capitol, he moved to halt the controversial process of military tribunals.
The two-page document, ordered jointly by Mr Obama and the US Department of Defense, seeks a 120-day suspension of trials and will be heard by two tribunal judges on Wednesday. GUANTANAMO BAY Established after 9/11 attacks to hold foreign terror suspects250 inmates remain in the campCharges brought in 21 cases class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7841805.stm">'Struggle' to close Guantanamo class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/5134328.stm">Q&A: Guantanamo detentions The two-page document, ordered jointly by Mr Obama and the US Department of Defense, sought a 120-day suspension of trials.
The delay would "permit the newly inaugurated president and his administration time to review the military commission process", the document said.The delay would "permit the newly inaugurated president and his administration time to review the military commission process", the document said.
The legal process has been widely criticised because the US military acts as jailer, judge and jury, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Guantanamo.The legal process has been widely criticised because the US military acts as jailer, judge and jury, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Guantanamo.
And in his inaugural address on Tuesday, Mr Obama emphasised the idea of respect for justice and the rights of the individual, rejecting "as false the choice between our safety and our ideals". GUANTANAMO BAY Established after 9/11 attacks to hold foreign terror suspects250 inmates remain in the campCharges brought in 21 cases class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7841805.stm">'Struggle' to close Guantanamo class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/5134328.stm">Q&A: Guantanamo detentions And in his inaugural address on Tuesday, Mr Obama emphasised the idea of respect for justice and the rights of the individual, rejecting "as false the choice between our safety and our ideals".
However closing Guantanamo Bay will not be easy, our correspondent adds. Questions remain over where those charged will be tried and where those freed can be safely sent. However, closing Guantanamo Bay will not be easy, our correspondent adds. Questions remain over where those charged will be tried and where those freed can be safely sent.
Cabinet moves
On his first full day in the Oval Office, Mr Obama is due to meet top national security officials as he takes over as commander-in-chief.On his first full day in the Oval Office, Mr Obama is due to meet top national security officials as he takes over as commander-in-chief.
In his inaugural address, the new president spoke of his desire to usher in a new era of peace, "to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan".In his inaugural address, the new president spoke of his desire to usher in a new era of peace, "to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan".
Officials said he would conduct a video conference with US military chiefs in the two countries.Officials said he would conduct a video conference with US military chiefs in the two countries.
Mr Obama is also expected to meet economic aides to discuss plans for presenting his proposed $800bn (£526bn) economic stimulus package to Congress.
Additionally, in a move that mimicked actions by George W Bush eight years ago, he has already ordered all the last-minute regulations signed by the former president to be put on hold.
The US Senate has already approved six members of Barack Obama's Cabinet, including Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary and Steven Chu as energy secretary.
However, Hillary Clinton's approval as secretary of state was postponed after a Republican senator demanded a debate beforehand about foreign donations to a foundation headed by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
That debate is due on Wednesday and Mrs Clinton's nomination is now expected to be confirmed in a vote immediately afterwards.
Timothy Geithner, the nominee to head the treasury department, is due to face the Senate finance committee on Wednesday to explain his initial failure to pay payroll taxes he owed while working for the International Monetary Fund.