Gadhafi Son: Lockerbie Kin 'Greedy'

(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»

Celebration of Megrahi's return made possible by Brit TV coverage

(NEWSER) - The release of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi had nothing to do with commerce, Moammar Gadhafi's son tells the Scotland Herald. What's more, he blames the celebration of Megrahi's return on the British news media—“Everyone knew from Sky and the BBC that he was going to land in Tripoli in four hours,” Saif Gadhafi says—and professes to be confused by the uproar. “There is no reason for people to be angry. Why be so angry? This is an innocent man who is dying.” More»

Business sec. eyed over ties to younger Gadhafi

(NEWSER) - Even as Scotland insists its decision to release the Lockerbie bomber was a compassionate one, a conversation between Moammar Gadhafi’s son and the bomber suggests some backroom wheeling and dealing, the Sunday Telegraph reports. A transcript has Saif Gadhafi telling the bomber, “You were on the table in all commercial, oil, and gas agreements that we supervised in that period. You were on the table in all British interests when it came to Libya.” 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»

(NEWSER) - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has his private jet ready to zip into Glasgow to pick up the Lockerbie bomber, reports the London Times. Scottish officials say they have made a decision about Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi but won't announce it until 1pm local time. Megrahi, who continues to insist on his innocence, is expected to be released on compassionate grounds because of his terminal prostate cancer. SkyNews and NBC say Megrahi will be on his way home tomorrow. More»