Ottawa - The head of an inquiry into the arrest and torture of three Canadians abroad says most of his work will be done behind closed doors for national security reasons.

But former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci Inquiry into torture of three Canadians to be mostly private: judge says he'll do everything in his power to ensure public confidence in the proceedings.

Mr. Iacobucci told an opening hearing of the inquiry that his 17 years on the bench gave him a profound respect for the principles of judicial independence.

He also said at least some of the hearings will be open to the public, although details remain to be worked out.

Mr. Iacobucci is investigating the ordeals of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muayyed Nureddin, all of whom deny allegations of terrorist ties.

They say their detention and torture in Syria and Egypt resulted from information supplied by CSIS and the RCMP.