WASHINGTON — The White House says the U.S. intends to transfer two additional detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Algeria as part of its effort to close the military prison in Cuba.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says the Pentagon is certifying its plans to Congress and will consult with lawmakers. He says the Obama administration wants Congress to support Obama’s efforts to close the prison by lifting restrictions on who can be transferred back to their home countries.

Obama has stepped up the pressure to close the prison. That effort has been driven in part by his revised counterterrorism strategy and the stain of the government force-feeding Guantánamo prisoners on hunger strikes to prevent them from starving to death.