The remains of Abdul Razzak were repatriated to Afghanistan for 'final disposition' early on Thursday, said Navy Commander Jeffrey Gordon, a Defense Department spokesman. Further details were not disclosed.

Razzak was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in September and had been receiving chemotherapy treatment since October, according to the US military. He died on Sunday.

The death of the 68-year-old Afghan at the prison clinic marked the first time any of the more than 700 men who have been held at Guantanamo Bay has died from natural causes, the US military said.

Four prisoners committed suicide.

US authorities accused Razzak, who had been held at the base since early 2003, of being a leader of a 40-man Taliban unit - an allegation he denied. No charges were ever filed against him.

The US holds roughly 275 men on suspicion of terrorism or links to Al-Qaeda or the Taleban at Guantanamo. -- AP