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Megrahi's 'health deteriorating' Megrahi's 'health deteriorating'
(about 7 hours later)
The health of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has worsened, his brother has told Reuters.The health of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has worsened, his brother has told Reuters.
Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, was unable to talk due to a "sudden deterioriation" in his health, he said.
But a BBC correspondent says there appears to be a concerted effort being made to dramatise his condition.
Megrahi was freed on compassionate grounds from a Scottish jail in August, having been jailed for the 1988 attack which claimed 270 lives.Megrahi was freed on compassionate grounds from a Scottish jail in August, having been jailed for the 1988 attack which claimed 270 lives.
A Reuters journalist said Megrahi, suffering from terminal cancer, was unable to talk due to a "sudden deterioriation" in his health.
Megrahi was weak when he appeared in front on journalists three days ago.
"He is at a special ward at Tripoli Medical Centre. His condition has deteriorated rapidly since yesterday," his brother Abdenasser Megrahi told Reuters at the hospital.
"His situation is worrying."
Weak patientWeak patient
His doctors confirmed the brother's statement but gave no further details, Reuters reported.His doctors confirmed the brother's statement but gave no further details, Reuters reported.
UN urged to investigateUN urged to investigate
On Wednesday, CNN reported that Megrahi looked "very weak, unable really to engage in what was going on around him, and coughing quite violently at times." On Wednesday, it was reported that Megrahi looked "very weak, unable really to engage in what was going on around him, and coughing quite violently at times."
He appeared on stage at the hospital in a wheelchair, wearing a mask, and attached to an intravenous drip, CNN reported. He appeared on stage at the hospital in a wheelchair, wearing a mask, and attached to an intravenous drip.
But the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says it seemed a carefully orchestrated event intended to send a signal to the Scottish, British and US governments.
The release of Megrahi, the only person convicted of the bombing, has outraged many, especially the relatives of those who died.The release of Megrahi, the only person convicted of the bombing, has outraged many, especially the relatives of those who died.
US President Barack Obama expressed his "disappointment" about the release directly to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.US President Barack Obama expressed his "disappointment" about the release directly to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.