THE U.S. is stepping up pressure on Britain to take back eight terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay following the court defeat over special military panels for detainees.

The chief legal adviser to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has begun talks with British diplomats over the repatriation of the men who have residency rights in Britain. Washington is frustrated at Britain's criticism of Guantanamo Bay while it fails to help reduce numbers at the detention centre.

The Foreign Office secured the release of five British detainees but has shown no interest in the return of those who only have residency rights. Lawyers for some of the eight recently sought a judicial review of the Foreign Office policy.

The men's return would create a problem for the British Government. They are either asylum seekers from countries such as Algeria or long-term residents with relatives in Britain.

Clive Stafford Smith, the lawyer for five of the detainees, said: "The Government does not want to have anything to do with these people, but it will come under increasing pressure from the U.S. to accept them back, as otherwise the Americans will argue that this is stopping them closing Guantanamo."

Britain told to take back detainees