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Anger at Lockerbie bomber welcome Anger at Lockerbie bomber welcome
(about 1 hour later)
Britain and the US have strongly condemned the jubilant welcome given in Libya to the man convicted of the bombing of a US plane over Lockerbie.Britain and the US have strongly condemned the jubilant welcome given in Libya to the man convicted of the bombing of a US plane over Lockerbie.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband described the scenes as "deeply distressing".British Foreign Secretary David Miliband described the scenes as "deeply distressing".
Crowds greeted Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi off the plane in Tripoli after he was freed from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds.Crowds greeted Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi off the plane in Tripoli after he was freed from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds.
Many relatives of the victims of the 1988 bombing are angry at his release.Many relatives of the victims of the 1988 bombing are angry at his release.
Most of the 270 people who died when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie were Americans.Most of the 270 people who died when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie were Americans.
Miliband attacks Megrahi welcome US powerless as bomber freed Bomber release: What now?Miliband attacks Megrahi welcome US powerless as bomber freed Bomber release: What now?
US President Barack Obama said Megrahi's release, eight years into his life sentence, was "a mistake".US President Barack Obama said Megrahi's release, eight years into his life sentence, was "a mistake".
He said his administration had told the Libyan government that Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, should not receive a hero's welcome and should be placed under house arrest.He said his administration had told the Libyan government that Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, should not receive a hero's welcome and should be placed under house arrest.
Mr Miliband said the sight of Megrahi being welcomed in the Libyan capital was very disturbing for the families of those who died in the bombing. Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands but has always denied being behind the bombing.
"Obviously the sight of a mass murderer getting a hero's welcome in Tripoli is deeply upsetting, deeply distressing," he told the BBC. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced the release order on Thursday morning, saying the prisoner probably had about three months to live.
'Courageous decision' 'Deeply upsetting'
Hundreds of people turned out to meet Megrahi's plane as it landed in Tripoli, many waving flags. The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Tripoli, described it as a welcome worthy of a returning rock star. Mr Miliband said images of Megrahi being welcomed in the Libyan capital were very disturbing for the families of those who died in the bombing.
Christian FraserBBC News correspondent, in Libya Despite the jubilant scenes in the capital, we haven't had any sense of triumphalism from government ministers. And we've still not had a statement from Colonel Gaddafi himself.Christian FraserBBC News correspondent, in Libya Despite the jubilant scenes in the capital, we haven't had any sense of triumphalism from government ministers. And we've still not had a statement from Colonel Gaddafi himself.
I think the last thing the Libyans want in the run up to the 40th anniversary of the revolution, on 1 September, is this international condemnation.I think the last thing the Libyans want in the run up to the 40th anniversary of the revolution, on 1 September, is this international condemnation.
There's no further news of al-Megrahi himself. It's a very quiet day in Tripoli - the first day of Ramadan. The streets are deserted, there's not much news in the media.There's no further news of al-Megrahi himself. It's a very quiet day in Tripoli - the first day of Ramadan. The streets are deserted, there's not much news in the media.
We are told he might be taken south to a town in the desert to meet Col Gaddafi - presumably to thank him for all the lobbying he has done on his behalf.We are told he might be taken south to a town in the desert to meet Col Gaddafi - presumably to thank him for all the lobbying he has done on his behalf.
And we now have it on a second source that he is actually a distant relative of Col Gaddafi, which might explain why the colonel has taken such a personal interest.And we now have it on a second source that he is actually a distant relative of Col Gaddafi, which might explain why the colonel has taken such a personal interest.
Megrahi, who had changed from the tracksuit he wore to leave Greenock prison in Scotland into a dark suit, was met by Col Gaddafi's son. "Obviously the sight of a mass murderer getting a hero's welcome in Tripoli is deeply upsetting, deeply distressing," he told the BBC.
"I would like to thank the Scottish government for its courageous decision and understanding of a special human situation," Seif al-Islam Gaddafi was quoted as saying. The fact Megrahi's victims had been shown no compassion was "not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days", he said.
There was a considerable amount of new evidence to show that he was innocent, he is reported to have added.
Megrahi was then taken to his family home where his wife, Aisha, said she was "overjoyed".
"It is a great moment, which we have been waiting for for nine years," she said. "The house is full to bursting, everyone who loves Abdelbaset is with us."
But relatives of those who died voiced growing anger and outrage at the decision to release him.
Stephanie Bernstein, whose husband was killed in the bombing, said the Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was "naive" in taking the decision to release Megrahi.
In pictures: Bomber's release 'A convenient scapegoat?'
"Thinking that somehow this shows that they are better people for being compassionate? This shows not compassion, it shows weakness," she told the BBC.
But other relatives reacted differently to the news.
British relatives' spokesman Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the atrocity, reiterated his view that Megrahi had "nothing to do with" the bombing.
"I don't believe for a moment that this man was involved in the way that he was found to have been involved," he said.
Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands but has always denied being behind the bombing.
Oil interests
Mr MacAskill announced the release order on Thursday morning, saying Megrahi probably had about three months to live.
Have Your Say I am ashamed to be Scottish. Where is the justice for the victims? Ross MacDonald, Edinburgh Send us your comment
The fact that Megrahi's victims were shown no compassion was "not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days", he said.
Mr Miliband said the decision to release Megrahi had been a choice for the Scottish justice secretary alone. Libya's response would be closely scrutinised, he added.Mr Miliband said the decision to release Megrahi had been a choice for the Scottish justice secretary alone. Libya's response would be closely scrutinised, he added.
"It's very important that Libya knows that how the Libyan government handles itself in the next few days will be very significant in the way the world views Libya's re-entry into the civilised community of nations," Mr Miliband said."It's very important that Libya knows that how the Libyan government handles itself in the next few days will be very significant in the way the world views Libya's re-entry into the civilised community of nations," Mr Miliband said.
In a country where movement is carefully restricted, the fact that Libya allowed supporters on to the runway to greet Megrahi in Tripoli clearly signals the Libyans were determined to salute his freedom, the BBC's Christian Fraser reports from Tripoli.
But Friday saw no sign of that triumphalism from government ministers and Col Gadaffi has still to give his reaction to the release, he says.
However Megrahi is treated in Libya in the short time he is believed to have left to live, he will go to the grave a convicted murderer, our correspondent adds.
Some major British oil and gas companies, bidding for highly competitive contracts with the country, could benefit from improved relations between Libya and the UK following Megrahi's release, our correspondent says.Some major British oil and gas companies, bidding for highly competitive contracts with the country, could benefit from improved relations between Libya and the UK following Megrahi's release, our correspondent says.
However, the British Foreign Office said on Friday it was reviewing whether a royal visit by the Duke of York to Libya, scheduled for September, should now go ahead.However, the British Foreign Office said on Friday it was reviewing whether a royal visit by the Duke of York to Libya, scheduled for September, should now go ahead.
This would be Prince Andrew's third trip to Libya in his role as Britain's special representative for trade and investment.This would be Prince Andrew's third trip to Libya in his role as Britain's special representative for trade and investment.
In a country where movement is carefully restricted, the fact that Libya allowed supporters on to the runway clearly signals the Libyans were determined to salute Megrahi's freedom, our correspondent says. 'Brave decision'
But Friday saw no sign of that triumphalism from government ministers and Col Gadaffi has still to give his reaction to the release, he says. Hundreds of people turned out to meet Megrahi's plane as it landed in Tripoli, many waving flags.
However Megrahi is treated in Libya in the short time he is believed to have left to live, he will go to the grave a convicted murderer, our correspondent adds. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">Have Your Say class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6897&edition=1&ttl=20090820133856">I am ashamed to be Scottish. Where is the justice for the victims? Ross MacDonald, Edinburgh class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6897&edition=1&ttl=20090820133856">Send us your comment
Megrahi, who had changed from the tracksuit he wore to leave Greenock prison in Scotland into a dark suit, was met by Col Gaddafi's son on arrival.
Seif al-Islam Gaddafi thanked both the Scottish and British governments for their "brave stance" although the British Government has insisted the decision to release Megrahi was a purely Scottish affair.
"I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Scottish government for taking this brave decision and for taking into account the special humanitarian circumstances," the younger Gaddafi said in a statement.
"I would also like to thank our friends in the British government who played an important part in bringing about this happy ending, and I will say that the Libyan people will not forget this brave stance taken by the British and Scottish governments..."
There was a "considerable amount of new evidence" to show Megrahi was innocent, he added, without giving details.
In pictures: Bomber's release 'A convenient scapegoat?' US and UK readers' reaction
Megrahi was taken to his family home where his wife, Aisha, said she was "overjoyed".
"It is a great moment, which we have been waiting for for nine years," she said. "The house is full to bursting, everyone who loves Abdelbaset is with us."
Bereaved families voiced growing anger and outrage at the decision to release Megrahi.
Stephanie Bernstein, whose husband was killed in the bombing, accused Mr MacAskill of being naive.
"This shows not compassion, it shows weakness," she told the BBC.
In contrast, British relatives' spokesman Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the atrocity, reiterated his view that Megrahi had "nothing to do with" the bombing.
"I don't believe for a moment that this man was involved in the way that he was found to have been involved," he said.