SHAKER AAMER’S family have spent the weekend pleading with authorities to confirm his release.

It was announced on Friday that Saudi-born Mr Aamer, who is the last British detainee held in Guantanamo Bay, is set to return home to Britain after being tortured in detention for more than 13 years without charge or trial.

But, the father-of-four cannot immediately leave the military prison based in Cuba because the US administration has to give Congress 30 days’ notice of his release.

His family welcomed the news “tentatively” as hopes of release have been “dashed before,” they said in a statement. But they described Friday as a “good day.”

They added: “It is one that has been far too long coming.

“Shaker was cleared for release from Guantanamo in 2007 and has never faced any sort of a trial or been charged with any crime.

“We have been through a terrible ordeal and we ask the British and US governments not to prolong that ordeal any longer and tell us when we can expect our husband, father and son-in-law to walk back into our lives.”

Mr Aamer’s lawyers say he was tortured, beaten, sleep deprived and held in solitary confinement for 360 days. In 2005, he lost half his body weight during a hunger strike.

Save Shaker Aamer Campaign chair Joy Hurcombe told the Star: “At last Shaker’s terrible nightmare of abuse and torture will be over, but only when he is safely returned to his home and family in the UK. There must be no delay in his return.”

The 30-day notice is a “ridiculous formality” only to give the idea to Congress that it’s not being bypassed in making decisions, Ms Hurcombe continued.

She added: “What we fear is delays. Thirty days gives enough time for someone, or a group, to put their oar in — and it’s worrying.

“Our campaign is pressing for Shaker’s immediate return without the unnecessary 30-day period of waiting for Congress’s agreement.

“Shaker and his family should not be subjected to this further painful delay in justice. His health is fragile, so they should let him home now.”

Campaigners will stage a “noisy musical protest” outside Downing Street on Wednesday to call for his immediate release, Ms Hurcombe said.