United States President George W Bush has denied that his administration moved terror suspects to countries which indulged in torture to extract information.
"We do not render to countries that torture. That has been our policy, and that policy will remain the same," Bush told reporters in Washington on Tuesday.
Bush did not answer a question on the reports of the Central Intelligence Agency running secret facilities overseas - primarily in Europe - that are known as 'Black Sites.'
"I do not talk about secret programs, covert programs or covert activities. Part of a successful war on terror is for the United States of America to be able to conduct operations, all aimed to protect the American people, covertly," he said.
"However, I can tell you two things: One, that we abide by the United States law that we do not torture. And two, we will try to do everything we can to protect us within the law," the President said.
Human rights organisations and legal groups, both in US and abroad, have accused the United States of allowing a practice known as 'rendition to torture,' in which suspects are taken to countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia where harsh interrogation methods are used.
