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Decision reached on bomber's fate Decision reached on bomber's fate
(10 minutes later)
A decision has been reached which could see the Lockerbie bomber freed or transferred to jail in Libya.A decision has been reached which could see the Lockerbie bomber freed or transferred to jail in Libya.
The Scottish justice secretary has said he will announce the fate of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi in a statement on Thursday afternoon.The Scottish justice secretary has said he will announce the fate of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
Megrahi, 57, is dying from terminal prostate cancer.Megrahi, 57, is dying from terminal prostate cancer.
He is serving a life sentence of at least 27 years following bombing of Pan Am flight 103 in 1988, which killed 270 people. He is serving a life sentence of at least 27 years following his 2001 conviction for the Pan Am flight 103 bomb in 1988, which killed 270 people.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had informed families and other interested parties that he had reached his decision on the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release.Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had informed families and other interested parties that he had reached his decision on the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release.
He will announce his decision on Thursday at 1300 BST at the Scottish Government's ministerial headquarters in Edinburgh.He will announce his decision on Thursday at 1300 BST at the Scottish Government's ministerial headquarters in Edinburgh.
Hillary Clinton: ''We think it is very much against the wishes of the family members''Hillary Clinton: ''We think it is very much against the wishes of the family members''
It follows intense pressure on the justice secretary and the Scottish Government, including interventions from the White House.It follows intense pressure on the justice secretary and the Scottish Government, including interventions from the White House.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated her opposition to the possible release of Megrahi.On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated her opposition to the possible release of Megrahi.
She said it would be "absolutely wrong".She said it would be "absolutely wrong".
"I knew a lot of these families. I talked with them about what a horror they experienced," Mrs Clinton said."I knew a lot of these families. I talked with them about what a horror they experienced," Mrs Clinton said.
Earlier this week, a letter from seven US senators including Edward Kennedy and John Kerry urged Mr MacAskill to keep Megrahi behind bars.Earlier this week, a letter from seven US senators including Edward Kennedy and John Kerry urged Mr MacAskill to keep Megrahi behind bars.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have a strong justice system in Scotland and people can be assured that the justice secretary's decisions have been reached on the basis of clear evidence and on no other factors."
Appeal droppedAppeal dropped
Chancellor Alistair Darling, standing in for the prime minister while Gordon Brown is on holiday, said it was a decision for the Scottish Government.Chancellor Alistair Darling, standing in for the prime minister while Gordon Brown is on holiday, said it was a decision for the Scottish Government.
On Tuesday, judges at the High Court in Edinburgh who accepted Megrahi's application to drop his appeal were told Megrahi's health had recently worsened very considerably.On Tuesday, judges at the High Court in Edinburgh who accepted Megrahi's application to drop his appeal were told Megrahi's health had recently worsened very considerably.
By dropping his appeal, Megrahi has removed one potential obstacle to his transfer to a jail in his homeland.By dropping his appeal, Megrahi has removed one potential obstacle to his transfer to a jail in his homeland.
However, a Crown appeal against the length of his sentence is still ongoing.However, a Crown appeal against the length of his sentence is still ongoing.


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