Washington  - US President Barack Obama plans to meet Friday with families of the victims of the New York and Yemen terrorist attacks as part of his plans to close down the notorious Guantanamo military prison on Cuba.

"The president wants to talk with these families about resolving the issues involved with closing Guantanamo Bay, while keeping the safety and security of the American people as his top priority," the White House said in a statement.

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania killed nearly 3,000 people. The bombing of the USS Cole in October 2000, in the Aden harbour killed 17 US sailors and injured another 39 people.

Hundreds of suspects in terrorist attacks on the United States have been held without charges or trial for up to seven years at Guatnanamo Bay, striking a black mark on America's reputation for defending human rights that Obama has vowed to erase by closing the prison.

But the question of what will happen with the 245 remaining prisoners presents sticky legal issues. (dpa)