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"The Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry confirm the decision of the Portuguese government to accept two Syrian citizens detained at Guantanamo," the official statement said.
The men would receive a "special visa" in accordance with immigration law, which lets authorities grant visas for "humanitarian reasons or in the national interest," the statement added.
"In reaching its decision, the Portuguese government has taken into account different aspects of the problem, namely humanitarian questions... security, as well as the prospects for integration of former detainees who are taken in," the foreign ministry added.
In Washington, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said that the United States "is very grateful for Portugal's humanitarian gesture."
He emphasized that the European Union's position on Guantanamo inmates "has helped facilitate resettlement discussions."
In December 2008, Portugal became the first European country to say it was ready to accept Guantanamo detainees in order to help the new US administration close the centre, set up in January 2002 for "enemy combatants" from the war on terror after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The Portuguese Foreign Ministry believes the closure of Guantanamo would have a far-reaching impact and be "a victory for all those who defend and promote respect for human rights in the context of the fight against terrorism."
President Barack Obama in January ordered the closure within one year of the Guantanamo detention centre, which still houses 229 prisoners.
Since then, a British resident of Ethiopian origin has been transferred to Britain as well as an Algerian to France and four Chinese Uighurs were sent to Bermuda. In addition, a young detainee with dual Chadian and Saudi nationality was sent to Chad and an Iraqi and three Saudis were sent to their home countries.
Other than Portugal, Hungary, Italy and Ireland have also agreed to accept prisoners.
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The men would receive a "special visa" in accordance with immigration law, which lets authorities grant visas for "humanitarian reasons or in the national interest," the statement added.
"In reaching its decision, the Portuguese government has taken into account different aspects of the problem, namely humanitarian questions... security, as well as the prospects for integration of former detainees who are taken in," the foreign ministry added.
In Washington, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said that the United States "is very grateful for Portugal's humanitarian gesture."
He emphasized that the European Union's position on Guantanamo inmates "has helped facilitate resettlement discussions."
In December 2008, Portugal became the first European country to say it was ready to accept Guantanamo detainees in order to help the new US administration close the centre, set up in January 2002 for "enemy combatants" from the war on terror after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The Portuguese Foreign Ministry believes the closure of Guantanamo would have a far-reaching impact and be "a victory for all those who defend and promote respect for human rights in the context of the fight against terrorism."
President Barack Obama in January ordered the closure within one year of the Guantanamo detention centre, which still houses 229 prisoners.
Since then, a British resident of Ethiopian origin has been transferred to Britain as well as an Algerian to France and four Chinese Uighurs were sent to Bermuda. In addition, a young detainee with dual Chadian and Saudi nationality was sent to Chad and an Iraqi and three Saudis were sent to their home countries.
Other than Portugal, Hungary, Italy and Ireland have also agreed to accept prisoners.
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