US President Barack Obama has reaffirmed his commitment to closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during his White House meeting with his Yemeni counterpart Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi on Thursday.

He noted his decision to lift the moratorium on detainee transfers to Yemen, and the two Presidents agreed their governments would work together to facilitate the repatriation of Yemeni detainees who have been designated for transfer from the military jail in Cuba.

President Hadi affirmed his intention to establish an extremist rehabilitation program to address the problem of violent extremism within Yemen, which could also facilitate the transfer of Yemeni detainees held at Guantanamo. Both the Presidents agreed to remain in close consultation on this critical matter, a White House press release said.

They also affirmed their desire to broaden and strengthen the U.S.-Yemen relationship. Obama reiterated the United States' support for the stability, security, prosperity, and unity of Yemen. He also commended the Yemeni government and people for their commitment to an inclusive democratic transition and the progress they have made thus far.

Obama and Hadi discussed Yemen's efforts to implement the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and the strong support of the international community for its timely completion. Hadi recounted Yemen's progress restructuring the military and undertaking a comprehensive National Dialogue, and affirmed that preparations for a new voter registry, constitutional referendum, and national elections were progressing.

Hadi noted his productive discussions with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank regarding how to advance Yemen's economic reform agenda while protecting Yemen's most vulnerable, and Obama expressed U.S. support for these reform efforts. The Presidents urged donors to continue supporting Yemen as it addresses a serious humanitarian crisis and begins fulfilling its commitments to responsible governance and reform.

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