A key report on the detention¹ of terrorism suspects ordered by US President Barack Obama will be delayed by six months, officials have said.

官员表示，美国总统奥巴马要求的关于恐怖主义嫌疑犯的拘留报告将会被推迟六个月。

Guantanamo Bay has drawn² widespread international criticism

President Obama commissioned（受委任的） the report as part of his efforts to close the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay by the beginning of next year.

Although expected, the delay raises doubts about his ability to meet the deadline, correspondents say.

The fate of Guantanamo inmates³（同住者，居民） has caused deep divisions in Washington.

Another report on the interrogation of suspects and their transfer to other countries would be delayed by two months, administration officials said.

However, a task force did send an interim⁴ report setting out legal goals for handling terrorism suspects in the future.

"Where appropriate, prosecution⁵ of those responsible must occur as soon as possible, whether in federal court or before a military commission," the memo⁶ said.

It also said justice could not be done unless suspects are proved guilty "in a court of law that affords them a full and fair opportunity to contest the charges against them".

The reports were ordered in the wake of President Obama's announcement that he would close the Guantanamo Bay prison by the beginning of 2010.

Administration officials say that deadline still holds.

Fewer than 20 out of about 245 inmates have been transferred from the detention centre in the six months since Mr Obama signed an order to close it within a year.