Washington:
White House advisers are nearing a recommendation for President Barack Obama to choose a military trial for self-professed September 11, 2001 attacks mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four of his alleged henchman, senior administration officials said on Friday.
The review of where and how to hold a September 11 trial is not over, so no recommendation is yet before the president and Obama has not made a determination of his own, officials said.
The review is not likely to be finished this week.
Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to discuss private deliberations.
The matter is at the White House after Attorney General Eric Holder decided in November to transfer Mohammed and the four other accused terrorists from the prison at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to New York City for civilian trials.
Initially supported by city officials, the idea was later opposed because of costs, security and logistical concerns.
When opposition ballooned further into Congress and an attempted Christmas airline bombing brought massive scrutiny to Obama's terrorism policies, the administration said it would review Holder's trial decision and consider all options for a new location.
In addition to local opposition to a trial, the administration faces pressure on its goal of closing Guantanamo on another front.