Habib drops torture case against Government
Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib has agreed to drop his lawsuit against the Australian Federal Government for being complicit in his torture while he was detained by the US.
"In reaching this settlement, the Government acted in the best interests of the commonwealth to avoid further protracted litigation and to enable our agencies to focus on their core responsibilities of protecting our national security," a spokesman said.
FLASHBACK: January 28, 2005
Downer defends Habib detention
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has defended the three-year detention of Mamdouh Habib, who returned to Australia today from the US military camp at Guantanamo Bay.
Asked whether Mr Habib deserved compensation for his detention without charge, Mr Downer said: "No, I definitely don't".
"We have not a skerrick of evidence that any Australian has been involved in abusing Mr Habib.
"We've told the Americans we will provide appropriate security for Australian people," Mr Downer said.
FLASHBACK: January 31, 2008
Official denies witnessing Habib torture
An Australian consular official has denied claims he was present while former Guantanamo Bay inmate Mamdouh Habib was allegedly being tortured in Pakistan.
Mr Habib claims he was detained and interrogated at the Australian High Commission in the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
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