WASHINGTON - The White House on Wednesday said that President Barack Obama will use "every element of his authority" to push forward the closing of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, if Congress does not cooperate in this regard.

"What I'm simply doing is suggesting we would like to work with Congress where we can, but if Congress continues to refuse, I wouldn't rule out the President using every element of his authority to make progress," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at a daily news briefing here Wednesday.

While stressing the White House hopes to close the prison "in a timely manner," Earnest said: "The president believes this is a priority and the president is determined to make progress on this."

Obama had vowed to close Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, where 112 detainees suspected of terrorism are kept, amid mounting concern about human rights abuses committed by US personnel against detainees, before he leaves office in 2017.

Members of Congress have blocked the move.