Libya to celebrate anniversary of Lockerbie bomber’s release
August 16th, 2010 - 1:04 pm ICT by IANS
London, Aug 16 (IANS) Libya is preparing to mark the first anniversary of the Lockerbie bomber’s release with leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi urging his countrymen to thank those who helped to free him, including former British prime minister Gordon Brown.
Gaddafi will also ask Libyans to pray for Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, who approved Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s freedom, The Sun reported Monday.
Gaddafi has ordered prayers to mark Friday’s anniversary of the decision to free Megrahi from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds Aug 20, 2009.
Al-Megrahi, a Libyan intelligence officer, was convicted in the Dec 21, 1988, bombing of the Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York. All 243 passengers and 16 crew members on board the plane were killed in the blast, while 11 people in Lockerbie in Scotland died as large section of the plane fell around the town.
Al-Megrahi served just over eight years of his sentence in Scotland’s Greenock Prison, before being diagnosed with prostate cancer and released on compassionate grounds. But his continued survival has fuelled anger in the US.
“People will pray for Megrahi and give thanks to those who helped to free him, including Gordon Brown and Kenny MacAskill. This is what the Brother Leader (Gaddafi) wants. He doesn’t wish to cause offence,” a spokesperson for Gaddafi said.
It emerged Sunday that none of the doctors treating the bomber in Greenock were consulted on his release.
- Lockerbie victims' kin describe Megrahi release anniversary celebration a "kick in the face" - Aug 16, 2010
- Scottish minister stands by decision to free Lockerbie bomber - Aug 19, 2010
- Lockerbie bomber said to be close to death - Dec 09, 2010
- Relatives demand UK to grill ex Libyan FM over Lockerbie bombing - Apr 01, 2011
- US secretly wanted Lockerbie bomber freed - Jul 25, 2010
- Lockerbie bomber Megrahi speaks English with Scottish accent - Aug 22, 2010
- Scottish Govt. denies striking deal with Libya over Lockerbie bomber's release - Feb 07, 2011
- Lockerbie bomber is alive - nine months after being freed - May 20, 2010
- Lockerbie bomber 'manipulated' illness for his release - Aug 21, 2010
- Britain advised Libya on Lockerbie bomber's release: WikiLeaks - Feb 01, 2011
- Lockerbie bomber played pivotal role in stockpiling chemical weapons in Libya - Nov 29, 2009
- Brit docs say they were not consulted about Lockerbie bomber's release - Aug 16, 2010
- Lockerbie bomber wore body armour during release from jail - Dec 02, 2009
- Lockerbie bomber found at mother's house - Aug 29, 2011
- Britain warns Libya over Lockerbie bomber celebration - Aug 20, 2010
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