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Libya warned over Lockerbie man Libya warned over Lockerbie man
(about 1 hour later)
The US and UK have reacted angrily to the welcome given in Libya to the Lockerbie bomber, freed from prison on compassionate grounds.The US and UK have reacted angrily to the welcome given in Libya to the Lockerbie bomber, freed from prison on compassionate grounds.
In the US, President Obama said the sight of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi being greeted by a jubilant crowd in Tripoli was "highly objectionable".In the US, President Obama said the sight of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi being greeted by a jubilant crowd in Tripoli was "highly objectionable".
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Libya would face new scrutiny.UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Libya would face new scrutiny.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has yet to comment on Megrahi, who has not been seen in public since returning.Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has yet to comment on Megrahi, who has not been seen in public since returning.
But the US and UK authorities said they had warned Libya about the sensitivity of the issue.But the US and UK authorities said they had warned Libya about the sensitivity of the issue.
Miliband attacks Megrahi welcome US powerless as bomber freed Bomber release: What now? Miliband attacks Megrahi welcome href="/2/hi/africa/8215419.stm">Libya marks return of 'innocent' man class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8213202.stm">US powerless as bomber freed Bomber release: What now?
Megrahi is believed to have been resting at his family home after his journey from Scotland on Thursday.Megrahi is believed to have been resting at his family home after his journey from Scotland on Thursday.
Families of American victims of the bombing in 1988, when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie with the loss of 270 lives, are due to discuss how to protest over Megrahi's release and Libya's attitude.Families of American victims of the bombing in 1988, when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie with the loss of 270 lives, are due to discuss how to protest over Megrahi's release and Libya's attitude.
They are said to be considering a demonstration against Col Gaddafi when he visits New York next month.They are said to be considering a demonstration against Col Gaddafi when he visits New York next month.
A British royal visit to Libya, also scheduled for September, is being reconsidered in the light of the release row.A British royal visit to Libya, also scheduled for September, is being reconsidered in the light of the release row.
'Political hostage''Political hostage'
Asked on Friday about his reaction to Megrahi's release, Mr Obama was clear in his condemnation.Asked on Friday about his reaction to Megrahi's release, Mr Obama was clear in his condemnation.
"I think it's highly objectionable," he told reporters at the White House. Earlier, his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said Megrahi's homecoming scene was "outrageous" and "disgusting"."I think it's highly objectionable," he told reporters at the White House. Earlier, his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said Megrahi's homecoming scene was "outrageous" and "disgusting".
In pictures: Bomber's release 'A convenient scapegoat?'In pictures: Bomber's release 'A convenient scapegoat?'
The US had communicated to the Libyan government that "such a welcome sends the wrong message and is deeply offensive to the families of the hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Lockerbie bombing", the White House said.The US had communicated to the Libyan government that "such a welcome sends the wrong message and is deeply offensive to the families of the hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Lockerbie bombing", the White House said.
It has emerged that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote to Col Gaddafi on Thursday, asking for Libya to "act with sensitivity" in handling Megrahi's return.It has emerged that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote to Col Gaddafi on Thursday, asking for Libya to "act with sensitivity" in handling Megrahi's return.
He also made clear that the decision to release the terminally ill bomber on compassionate grounds was the Scottish government's, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.He also made clear that the decision to release the terminally ill bomber on compassionate grounds was the Scottish government's, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
Speaking to the BBC, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "Obviously the sight of a mass murderer getting a hero's welcome in Tripoli is deeply upsetting, deeply distressing."Speaking to the BBC, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "Obviously the sight of a mass murderer getting a hero's welcome in Tripoli is deeply upsetting, deeply distressing."
Libya's response would be closely scrutinised, he added.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 significant1 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 significant1 in the way the world views Libya's re-entry into the civilised community of nations," Mr Miliband said.
Despite the scenes at the airport, Friday saw no sign of triumphalism from Libyan ministers, the BBC's Christian Fraser reports from Tripoli.Despite the scenes at the airport, Friday saw no sign of triumphalism from Libyan ministers, the BBC's Christian Fraser reports from Tripoli.
Most of Libya's newspapers are not published on Friday. However, the state-owned Al-Jamahiriyah offered an editorial condemning the conduct of Megrahi's trial and describing him as a "political hostage".Most of Libya's newspapers are not published on Friday. However, the state-owned Al-Jamahiriyah offered an editorial condemning the conduct of Megrahi's trial and describing him as a "political hostage".
'He's a bit tired''He's a bit tired'
Megrahi's daughter Ghada told the BBC on Friday that her father was resting at home.Megrahi's daughter Ghada told the BBC on Friday that her father was resting at home.
Have Your Say I am ashamed to be Scottish. Where is the justice for the victims? Ross MacDonald, Edinburgh Send us your commentHave Your Say I am ashamed to be Scottish. Where is the justice for the victims? Ross MacDonald, Edinburgh Send us your comment
"He's at home with us, he's a bit tired and worn out because it was a slightly long trip for him," she told BBC World Service."He's at home with us, he's a bit tired and worn out because it was a slightly long trip for him," she told BBC World Service.
"He was overjoyed with seeing us all again.""He was overjoyed with seeing us all again."
Megrahi's elderly mother, his daughter added, was "very excited and happy to see him again".Megrahi's elderly mother, his daughter added, was "very excited and happy to see him again".
Hundreds of people turned out to meet Megrahi's plane as it landed in Tripoli, many waving flags.Hundreds of people turned out to meet Megrahi's plane as it landed in Tripoli, many waving flags.
Megrahi was met by Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, who 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.Megrahi was met by Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, who 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.
The younger Gaddafi added that there was a "considerable amount of new evidence" to show Megrahi was innocent.The younger Gaddafi added that there was a "considerable amount of new evidence" to show Megrahi was innocent.