Obama Approves GITMO's Largest Prisoner Release to Date

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration took another step in its plan to empty Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) of its prisoners.

On Monday, 15 detainees from the offshore prison were sent to the United Arab Emirates.

The latest move leaves 61 prisoners at the facility, down from 242 in 2009.

Former President George W. Bush opened Guantanamo Bay after the September 11 terror attacks at Manhattan's World Trade Center, which killed nearly 3,000 people, plus the 19 participants of the suicide mission. 

Suspected terrorists were incarcerated at the facility without a trial.

In February, President Barack Obama announced his plan to close the facility by moving some detainees to prisons and others to U.S. military facilities.

Both Republicans and Democrats rejected the move.

This week's prisoner release is the largest to date.