Congressman defends 'savage religion' comment

A Republican congressman from Illinois says his comment that suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay follow a "savage religion" has been misinterpreted.

During an interview with WREX-TV of Rockford, U.S. Rep. Donald Manzullo said alleged terrorists at the detention center are "really really mean people whose job it is to kill people, driven by some savage religion."

Manzullo confirmed Tuesday that those were his words, but they've been misinterpreted. He says he never specified Islam and apologized.

Manzullo's comments come as federal officials consider buying an Illinois prison to house Guantanamo detainees.

Most prisoners at the military-run base in Cuba come from Muslim countries.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says Manzullo's comments were an attack on Islam and promote hysteria.