The US military released about 500 Iraqi detainees from Abu Ghraib prison on Saturday, completing a plan to release some 1,000 detainees in honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the US military said.

Several buses, loaded with detainees wearing traditional white Arab robes, left the sprawling detention located 20 km west of Baghdad.

The first batch of 500 detainees were released from the notorious prison in honor of Ramadan and at the request of the Iraqi government on Monday.

The US military said those released were not guilty of serious crimes.

The move came as part of the Iraqi government's efforts to encourage Iraqis, especially the Sunni Arabs, to take part in the political process, particularly in the Oct. 15 referendum on constitution.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, in which Muslims observe fast during day for an entire month.

Abu Ghraib prison made the worldwide headlines last year after reports emerged on prisoner humiliations and tortures by US staff.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2005)