Libya Won't Pay IRA Bomb Victims

(NEWSER) - A British official today denied suggestions that the government struck a deal to free the Lockerbie bomber in exchange for a nice price on Libyan oil, reports the Guardian. "It's not only completely wrong to make such a suggestion, it's also quite offensive," said the business secretary. The allegation arose after Moammar Gadhafi's son said the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi had been linked to trade talks over gas and oil, followed up by Gadhafi himself publicly thanking Gordon Brown. More»

(NEWSER) - Opposition parties are turning up the heat on Gordon Brown after Moammar Gadhafi’s son said the fate of the Lockerbie bomber came up often in trade talks between Libya and the UK. Tories say that raises “serious questions” about 10 Downing St.’s role in the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on humanitarian grounds. The public needs to know “beyond any doubt that this was not connected with some political trade,” wrote David Cameron in a letter to Brown. More»

Al-Megrahi says he only has 'days, weeks, months' to live

(NEWSER) - From a bed at his Tripoli home, a frail-looking Abdel Basset al-Megrahi insisted to Reuters that his role in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing was smaller than people think. "The West exaggerated my name. Please leave me alone. I only have a few more days, weeks, or months" to live, said al-Megrahi, who was released from a Scottish prison two years ago due to his terminal cancer. "The facts (about the Lockerbie bombing) will become clear one day and hopefully in the near future. In a few months from now, you will see new facts that will be announced," he said. More»

Ex-Justice minister says he has proof to back up claim

(NEWSER) - Libya’s ex-justice minister says that Moammar Gadhafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing—and that he can prove it. “I have proof that Gadhafi gave the order,” Mustafa Abdel-Jalil told a Swedish tabloid, according to the AP . “To hide it, he (Gadhafi) did everything in his power to get al-Megrahi back from Scotland.” More»

British intelligence also suggests 'imminent death' was a stretch

(NEWSER) - The Guardian highlights WikiLeaks cables surrounding the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi , freed by Scotland last year because he supposedly had only a few months to live. The cables show that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's government put "thuggish" pressure on Britain to make sure Megrahi went free. "Specific threats have included the immediate cessation of all UK commercial activity in Libya, a diminishment or severing of political ties, and demonstrations against official UK facilities," wrote the US ambassador. More»