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Libyans Welcome Home Lockerbie Bomber

Obama called release 'a mistake'

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2009 4:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrived in Libya to a hero's welcome today after being released by Scottish authorities, the BBC reports. Hundreds greeted him at the Tripoli airport waving Libyan flags, and he was then escorted to a private meeting with Moammar Gadhafi. "We have been in contact with the Scottish government, indicating that we objected to this,” said President Obama. “We thought it was a mistake."

The reactions of victims’ families underscore the dissension that still surrounds the Lockerbie attack. Many reacted angrily: “I want him returned from Scotland the same way my wife Lorraine was and that would be in a box,” said Paul Halsch of New York. But the British relatives of one victim said they were glad, because they “don't believe for a moment that this man was involved in the way that he was found to have been involved."

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahiibyan  is hugged by Seif al-Islam el- Gadhafi, son of Libyan leader  Moammar Gadhafi, upon his arrival.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahiibyan is hugged by Seif al-Islam el- Gadhafi, son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, upon his arrival.   (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil)
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrives in Tripoli.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrives in Tripoli.   (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil)
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrives in Tripoli.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrives in Tripoli.   (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrives in Tripoli.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrives in Tripoli.   (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil)
Libyans surround the convoy of Abdelbaset Alli al-Megrahi.
Libyans surround the convoy of Abdelbaset Alli al-Megrahi.   (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil)
The airpane carrying Megrahi arrives at the airport in Tripoli, Libya, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.
The airpane carrying Megrahi arrives at the airport in Tripoli, Libya, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil)
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Mr al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion. But that alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days.
- Kenny MacAskill, Scottish Justice Secretary

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
riffran
Aug 21, 2009 8:40 AM CDT
and people expected different from those sicko's....They are 97% islamic, that bastard was killing infedels and therefore a "good" guy, in their eyes.....He should have had a bullet in the melon or a neck stretching party
Newser001
Aug 20, 2009 10:24 AM CDT
I'm sure the Scot's are now very much dismayed and disgusted at what they're seeing, as well.
Newser001
Aug 20, 2009 10:20 AM CDT
Libyans' promised, no show-boating... They flat out lied. I was reserved, slightly open minded, but now I'm absolutely outraged !!!

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