The White House announced the decision as US President George W. Bush began a long weekend at his Texas ranch just a day after discussing the matter here with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The two leaders have asked legal experts from their respective countries "to discuss a range of options for disposition of the British detainees," Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement.

"The president and the prime minister are confident that their experts will be able to agree on a solution that satisfies the mutual interests of the US and the UK," said the spokesman.

Britain's attorney general, Lord Peter Goldsmith, will lead a delegation to Washington early next week. The United States and Australia will hold similar talks next week.

"Pending these discussions, the president has determined not to commence any military commission proceedings against UK nationals," said McClellan.

"Similarly, the United States will not commence military commission proceedings against any Australian nationals."

Britain and Australia have said military tribunals would not be possible under their political and judicial systems.

Blair's spokesman first announced the decision minutes before the prime minister's plane landed in Tokyo on the first leg of an East Asia trip.

"The president listened to the concerns of the prime minister and we believe this is the right way to take this forward," he said.

A total of nine Britons, captured during the US war on terrorism, are among more than 600 detainees from 42 countries being held by the United States under controversial conditions at Guantanamo Bay.