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| Gaddafi seen meeting bomber on TV | Gaddafi seen meeting bomber on TV |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has defied strong criticism from the UK and the US by meeting Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on Libyan TV. | Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has defied strong criticism from the UK and the US by meeting Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on Libyan TV. |
| The Scottish Government freed the terminally-ill 57-year-old on compassionate grounds on Thursday. | The Scottish Government freed the terminally-ill 57-year-old on compassionate grounds on Thursday. |
| Col Gaddafi said he hoped the move would improve relations between Libya and Britain, state media reported. | Col Gaddafi said he hoped the move would improve relations between Libya and Britain, state media reported. |
| But the UK Foreign Office has strongly denied claims Megrahi was released to ensure trade deals with Libya. | But the UK Foreign Office has strongly denied claims Megrahi was released to ensure trade deals with Libya. |
| Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, told Libyan TV Megrahi's case was raised during talks over oil and gas. | Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, told Libyan TV Megrahi's case was raised during talks over oil and gas. |
| 'Humane decision' | 'Humane decision' |
| His father also praised the "courageous" Scottish Government during his meeting with Megrahi. | His father also praised the "courageous" Scottish Government during his meeting with Megrahi. |
| He said: "I praise their courage for having proved their independence in decision making, despite the unacceptable and and illogical pressures that opposed them," state media reported. | He said: "I praise their courage for having proved their independence in decision making, despite the unacceptable and and illogical pressures that opposed them," state media reported. |
| "But they took this sound, courageous and humane decision." | "But they took this sound, courageous and humane decision." |
| Col Gaddafi also praised Gordon Brown, the Queen and Prince Andrew for encouraging the Scottish Government. | Col Gaddafi also praised Gordon Brown, the Queen and Prince Andrew for encouraging the Scottish Government. |
| Meanwhile, Megrahi told the Times newspaper he intended to present new evidence proving his innocence. | Meanwhile, Megrahi told the Times newspaper he intended to present new evidence proving his innocence. |
| No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests UK Foreign Office Bomber release: What now? | No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests UK Foreign Office Bomber release: What now? |
| The man convicted of killing 270 people aboard a transatlantic airliner in 1988 said he would present the evidence through lawyers in Scotland and ask the British and Scottish communities to "be the jury". | The man convicted of killing 270 people aboard a transatlantic airliner in 1988 said he would present the evidence through lawyers in Scotland and ask the British and Scottish communities to "be the jury". |
| He said he was "very, very happy" to be free. | He said he was "very, very happy" to be free. |
| "This was my hope and wish - to be back with my family before I pass away. I always believed I would come back if justice prevailed." | "This was my hope and wish - to be back with my family before I pass away. I always believed I would come back if justice prevailed." |
| Colonel Gaddafi's son had labelled Megrahi's release a "victory". | Colonel Gaddafi's son had labelled Megrahi's release a "victory". |
| In an interview with a Libyan station, Mr Islam reportedly claimed that the Megrahi issue had been raised repeatedly by Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair. | In an interview with a Libyan station, Mr Islam reportedly claimed that the Megrahi issue had been raised repeatedly by Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair. |
| "In all commercial contracts, for oil and gas with Britain, (Megrahi) was always on the negotiating table," Mr Islam said told Libya's Al Mutawassit channel. | "In all commercial contracts, for oil and gas with Britain, (Megrahi) was always on the negotiating table," Mr Islam said told Libya's Al Mutawassit channel. |
| Government 'slur' | Government 'slur' |
| Mr Blair visited Libya in May 2007, during which UK energy giant BP signed a $900m (£540m) exploration deal. | Mr Blair visited Libya in May 2007, during which UK energy giant BP signed a $900m (£540m) exploration deal. |
| However, the Foreign Office insisted Megrahi's release had been a matter solely for the Scottish authorities. | However, the Foreign Office insisted Megrahi's release had been a matter solely for the Scottish authorities. |
| I never for a minute thought that it was just a question of compassionate release and the humanity and compassion of the Scots Rosemary WolfeStepmother of bombing victim | I never for a minute thought that it was just a question of compassionate release and the humanity and compassion of the Scots Rosemary WolfeStepmother of bombing victim |
| A spokesman said: "No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests in the country." | A spokesman said: "No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests in the country." |
| UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier rejected suggestions the UK pushed for Megrahi's release to improve relations as "a slur on both myself and the government". | UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier rejected suggestions the UK pushed for Megrahi's release to improve relations as "a slur on both myself and the government". |
| But Rosemary Wolfe, whose step daughter died in the bombing, said she was not surprised by claims that the release was part of a trade deal with Britain. | But Rosemary Wolfe, whose step daughter died in the bombing, said she was not surprised by claims that the release was part of a trade deal with Britain. |
| She told the BBC: "I never for a minute thought that it was just a question of compassionate release and the humanity and compassion of the Scots. | She told the BBC: "I never for a minute thought that it was just a question of compassionate release and the humanity and compassion of the Scots. |
| "What surprises me is that Gaddafi's son would have come out with this kind of a statement." | "What surprises me is that Gaddafi's son would have come out with this kind of a statement." |
| A former British ambassador to Libya, Sir Richard Dalton, said the UK government faced scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Magrahi's release. | |
| "There are a number of outstanding questions and silence I don't think is serving the British interest well," he said. "In my view it was not naivety, nor was it opportunism." | |
| "There are honourable answers to the questions being posed and it is time, I think, for the British government to be more forthcoming in support of what the Scots have done." | |
| Prince Andrew | Prince Andrew |
| Separately, the Foreign Office was unable to confirm whether a planned trip to Libya by the Duke of York in September would be cancelled. | Separately, the Foreign Office was unable to confirm whether a planned trip to Libya by the Duke of York in September would be cancelled. |
| A spokeswoman said an official invitation to the British government from Libya had not yet been received. | A spokeswoman said an official invitation to the British government from Libya had not yet been received. |
| However, it is believed any visit by a member of the Royal Family is unlikely to go ahead in light of the furore surrounding Megrahi's return. | However, it is believed any visit by a member of the Royal Family is unlikely to go ahead in light of the furore surrounding Megrahi's return. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYThis won't have any long term affect on relations with the US, but the decision shows a lack of empathy for the families of the murdered, and it will affect them Gerry Giambattista, Pennsylvania Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYThis won't have any long term affect on relations with the US, but the decision shows a lack of empathy for the families of the murdered, and it will affect them Gerry Giambattista, Pennsylvania Send us your comments |
| The bomber's release - and the hero's welcome he was given on return to Libya - provoked anger from many relatives of those who died aboard Pan-Am flight 103, particularly in the US. | The bomber's release - and the hero's welcome he was given on return to Libya - provoked anger from many relatives of those who died aboard Pan-Am flight 103, particularly in the US. |
| President Barack Obama condemned the jubilant scenes at Tripoli airport as "highly objectionable". | President Barack Obama condemned the jubilant scenes at Tripoli airport as "highly objectionable". |
| The UK foreign secretary described TV footage of people greeting Megrahi by cheering and waving flags as "deeply distressing". | The UK foreign secretary described TV footage of people greeting Megrahi by cheering and waving flags as "deeply distressing". |
| Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond also said the reception was "inappropriate". | Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond also said the reception was "inappropriate". |
| UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has so far made no comment, although it has emerged he wrote to Col Gaddafi to ask that Libya "act with sensitivity" in its welcome. | UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has so far made no comment, although it has emerged he wrote to Col Gaddafi to ask that Libya "act with sensitivity" in its welcome. |