Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, which became the focus of abuses carried out by invading US forces during the occupation of the country, will now be closed.

Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, which became the focus of abuses carried out by invading US forces during the occupation of the country, will now be closed.

Citing security concerns, Iraq's Justice Ministry on Tuesday announced that its 2,400 inmates had been transferred to other prisons.

Abu Ghraib, which is located in the troubled Anbar province, was attacked last year by anti-government rebels who succeeded in freeing hundreds of detainees.

Prior to the US occupation, the prison was also used as a torture facility by Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime.