The Scottish Minister of Justice, Kenny MacAskill, says Libya failed to keep its word about the return of the Lockerbie bomber last week. MacAskill said Libya had agreed on a modest reception for al-Megrahi, who was released from prison in Scotland because he is suffering from terminal cancer. However, when he arrived at Tripoli airport, he received a hero's welcome.

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Pressenza, Glasgow, 2009-08-25

Mr MacAskill said Libya had agreed on a modest reception for Abdul Basset al-Megrahi, who was released from prison in Scotland because he is suffering from terminal cancer and has only a few months left to live. However, when he arrived at Tripoli airport, the 57-year-old received a hero's welcome.

Relatives of those who died when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in December 1988, killing 270 people in the air and on the ground, have harshly criticized the release. Many Scottish politicians have also called it the wrong decision and said Mr Al-Megrahi should have remained in prison.

Mr MacAskill has repeated that Mr Al-Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds because of his illness. He said no political, or other, consideration had played a role in the decision.

The uproar has prompted Britain's Prince Andrew to abandon a proposed visit to Libya.

Pressenza.org