Washington, March 31 (RHC)-- The Pentagon has informed Congress that it intends to transfer up to a dozen more prisoners from the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, in that illegally occupied portion of Cuban territory.

A United States government official said late Wednesday that the transfers would further whittle the number of prisoners, currently 91, held there, and move the U.S. closer to President Obama’s long-held intention of closing the detention facility before he leaves office next year.

Yet significant challenges remain. The paper reports that the Pentagon is required to give Congress 30 days’ notice that security standards have been met to release prisoners.

According to the New York Times, the government official provided no details on exactly when the prisoners would depart Cuba. It said that the government official was granted anonymity to discuss the plan because the administration does not officially confirm the transfers of prisoners before they occur.

President Obama has sought to close the military prison since his first campaign for the White House eight years ago, but persistent opposition in Congress has foiled those plans. His latest proposal to close it, submitted in February, was strongly opposed by Republicans.