US hands over Abu Ghraib to Iraq

A number of US soldiers were convicted over abuses

The US military has formally handed over control of the notorious Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad to the authorities in Iraq.

The jail became infamous for the torture and execution of prisoners under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

US soldiers added to its notoriety when photos showing them abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi prisoners came to light in April 2004.

An Iraqi government spokesman said the jail now had no prisoners.

Outrage

Abu Ghraib had about 4,500 inmates at the start of the year.

Many of the detainees have been taken to a new detention centre built at the US base, Camp Cropper, near Baghdad airport.

Another 2,000 have been released under a national reconciliation plan since June.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabaqh said the future of the jail was still to be decided.

The US abuses sparked international outrage.

A number of low-level soldiers have been convicted. Specialist Charles Graner, said to have been the ringleader, was jailed for 10 years.