The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says Mr Panetta's remark is the first time a senior American official has publicly taken this position.

BBC: Panetta backs Syria rebels arms plan

Mr Khadr's trial will shine further light on both the camp and Mr Obama's failure to close it, the BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Washington.

BBC: Youngest Guantanamo inmate, Canadian Omar Khadr, tried

Kim Ghattas: I've flown to Seoul ahead of Hillary Clinton to get a sense of what South Korea is expecting from the new US administration.

BBC: Obama diary: Days 31-40