US President Barack Obama yesterday ordered the closure of the Guantanamo military prison within a year and a halt to harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects, moving quickly to restore the US image abroad.

The executive order to shut the prison, a symbol of detainee abuse and detention without charge under the Republican administration of George W. Bush, fulfills a promise Obama made during his campaign.

"The message that we are sending around the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly," Obama said at a signing ceremony in the Oval office. "We are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals," he said.