AP
Detainees are seen in their cells at Camp X-Ray

U.S. authorities have agreed to ease conditions slightly at the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba, after almost two-thirds of the Taleban and al-Qaida prisoners there staged a hunger strike. The detainees said the protest was in response to an incident in which a detainee was forcibly stripped of his turban during prayers.

Late Thursday, Brigadier General Mike Lehnert told prisoners the military will do more to respect the prisoners' Islamic traditions, including allowing the wearing of turbans - previously banned.

However, he said because authorities fear the prisoners could hide weapons in their turbans, soldiers will be allowed to make inspections at any time. After the announcement, several prisoners fashioned themselves turbans out of bedsheets, but more than 80 prisoners still refused to eat dinner. The strike was the first show of organized resistance since the camp was established in January.

Tensions are running high at the camp, dubbed Camp X-Ray, because no decision has been made on how long the prisoners will be detained there. Because the detainees have not been officially deemed prisoners of war, their rights are unclear.

Human rights groups have already protested treatment of the prisoners, who are housed in outdoor cages on the Caribbean military base.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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