Gen Douglas Fraser, head of US Southern Command, insisted US forces were "doing everything in our power to speed aid to Haiti as fast as humanly possible".

BBC: US sends extra troops for Haiti earthquake relief

There were no "serious injuries to guards or detainees" in Saturday's clashes, according to Capt Robert Durand of the US military's Southern Command.

BBC: Clashes at Guantanamo over hunger strike prisoners

But Army General Tommy R Franks, who heads the US Central Command and enforces the southern no-fly zone, recommended reducing the number of patrols but maintaining a minimum number to check possible movements of Iraqi troops towards the Saudi and Kuwaiti borders.

BBC: US generals urge Iraq patrol cuts