Libya marks return of 'innocent' Megrahi

Libya marks return of 'innocent' Megrahi

By Rana Jawad
BBC News, Tripoli



Far from the noise being made in America and Britain about Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's arrival to a joyful public welcoming in his country, Tripoli has been quiet as it observes the first day in the holy month of Ramadan.

There is a verbal storm raging on in the US and in the UK: a public relations nightmare, perhaps, for all the governments linked to the Lockerbie case.

People here believe Megrahi is an innocent man.

The streets have been silent throughout the day and many Libyans will be unaware of the outrage that is playing out abroad. For the local population, their brother is home, he is dying and he will spend his remaining days with his family and amongst his people. That is where the story ends for them.

But it seems like a harsh new beginning for the relatives of the Lockerbie bombing victims. Most are opposed to Megrahi's release and return to Libya, but for this country it is seen as a resounding victory, albeit a muted one on an official level.

Comment: A Happy Ramadan Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrah. The Libyan state mobile phone network sent this text to it's subscribers "Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi is free in the adored Libyan land".

UPDATE:

Megrahi: 'A convenient scapegoat?'

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has left Scotland to return to Libya.

With his departure, a lengthy chapter in Scots legal history has closed.

But many questions remain - and they will not disappear along with the flight to Tripoli.

BBC Scotland's Home Affairs Correspondent Reevel Alderson has been looking at the mystery which still surrounds the 1988 bombing.