Gadhafi Son: Why the Fuss Over Bomber's Release?

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) - 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»

EU cancer specialists flown in to treat al-Megrahi

(NEWSER) - The condition of the cancer-stricken Lockerbie bomber has taken a sharp turn for the worse in the last few days, the Times of London reports. "The last check-up was very, very bad. He's dying. He is unable to speak to anyone," said the brother of Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi. Cancer specialists are reportedly being flown from Europe to Tripoli in a chartered aircraft, though al-Megrahi's brother wouldn't say who was paying for them. 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»