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Gaddafi UN visit protest planned Lockerbie protests greet Gaddafi
(about 2 hours later)
A protest is expected to take place when Colonel Muammar Gaddafi arrives to address the United Nations in New York. Protesters have greeted Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on his arrival at the United Nations in New York.
Relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing are among those planning a demonstration as the Libyan leader speaks to the general assembly. Relatives of Lockerbie bombing victims were among those demonstrating against the Libyan leader, who was to address the general assembly.
Supporters of the formerly outcast North African leader also gathered outside the UN to welcome him.
The release of the Libyan man convicted of the 1988 attack over southern Scotland caused controversy in America.The release of the Libyan man convicted of the 1988 attack over southern Scotland caused controversy in America.
It also emerged that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was not planning to attend Colonel Gaddafi's speech.
'Completely unacceptable'
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who is terminally ill, was freed on compassionate grounds by the Scottish government in August.Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who is terminally ill, was freed on compassionate grounds by the Scottish government in August.
On Wednesday, Mr Brown repeated his criticism of the jubilant welcome Megrahi received on his return to Libya and indicated he would not be attending Colonel Gaddafi's speech. Colonel Gaddafi has not spoken to the General Assembly in 40 years
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown repeated his criticism of the jubilant welcome Megrahi received on his return to Libya and indicated he would not be attending Colonel Gaddafi's first speech to the UN in 40 years.
"I don't think I will be there for that. I have made my views very clear to the Libyans," he told BBC Radio 5 live."I don't think I will be there for that. I have made my views very clear to the Libyans," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"The way that Megrahi was received in Libya was completely unacceptable. I think it did a lot of damage to the Libyans' reputation in the international community.""The way that Megrahi was received in Libya was completely unacceptable. I think it did a lot of damage to the Libyans' reputation in the international community."
The controversy has heightened the sensitivity of the appearance of Col Gaddafi in New York.The controversy has heightened the sensitivity of the appearance of Col Gaddafi in New York.
He delights in rubbing salt into our wounds, and he has already misled the UN as to his intentions Frank DugganVictims of Pan Am 103
Original plans for him to stay at a five-acre plot in New Jersey were changed amid local opposition - many of the victims' relatives live in the state.Original plans for him to stay at a five-acre plot in New Jersey were changed amid local opposition - many of the victims' relatives live in the state.
Instead the delegation has opted for a site in suburban New York.Instead the delegation has opted for a site in suburban New York.
Attending the planned protest will be relatives of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing. Jack and Kathleen Flynn were disappointed by Megrahi's release
They will march to the UN compound alongside others affected by terrorist atrocities, including loved ones of those killed in the September 11 attacks in New York. Among the protesters outside the UN building were Jack and Kathleen Flynn who lost their 21-year-old son JP in the 1988 atrocity.
The president of the Victims of Pan Am 103, Frank Duggan, said they opposed the presence of the Libyan leader on US soil. Mr Flynn said: "We are trying to say Mr Gaddafi is a murderer and he should not be honoured at the UN in any way.
He said: "We are planning a massive demonstration in New York City when Gaddafi will arrive here - objecting to the presence of the Libyan leader on the US soil. "Yet he is being honoured at the UN, allowed to speak and that is absolutely horrible because he ordered the bombing of Pan AM 103."
"I personally understand the motives of the US government in trying to bring Libya into the community of peaceful nations, but that does not mean that we have to roll out the red carpet for him to strut on. Mr Flynn, who travelled from New Jersey to mount his protest, added: "I went to the trial every day, I saw all the evidence - it was obvious that he ordered Megrahi to put the bomb on Pan Am 103."
"He delights in rubbing salt into our wounds, and he has already misled the UN as to his intentions." Mrs Flynn said she believed the compassionate release of Megrahi, who is suffering from terminal cancer, had damaged relations between Scotland and the United States.
She said: "I think the Scots have let us down tremendously, we have lost faith in the Scots.
Megrahi is the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing
Mrs Flynn said she was "absolutely shocked" that Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill "took it upon himself to release Megrahi".
She dismissed the diplomatic moves made to heal the rift after the US government said it wanted to move on.
She said: "My government might want to move on, but we are not going to let them forget and we are not forgiving the Scots for what they did."
Colonel Gaddafi was due to speak after US President Barack Obama's inaugural address to the UN.