WASHINGTON (AP) -- A senior defense official says former Osama bin Laden driver Salim Hamdan is being transferred from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, back to his home country of Yemen.

Hamdan was convicted of aiding al-Qaida in August and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison. He would be eligible for release in January with credit for time served.

The official, who said Hamdan will serve out the remainder of his sentence in Yemen, spoke late Monday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

Hamdam's defense lawyers did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment on his release.

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