The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has blocked the publication of further images of US soldiers abusing foreign detainees held captive. The order refers to some 40 images, including some of prisoners being abused in Afghanistan and Iraq. Last month, Congress gave Mr Gates new powers to prevent their release under a law signed by the US president. Initially, Mr Obama had suggested that he would not attempt to block the release of the photographs but he reversed this decision in May saying the release of such images would be of no benefit and might inflame opinion against the U.S.