The National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya has assured the British Government of its cooperation in probing the Lockerbie bombing, after reports emerged that Libya’s justice minister refused any further cooperation as the case was ‘closed’.
"What I and all the world knows is that Mr Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was tried in the Lockerbie case and convicted, he appealed and his conviction was upheld, then the Scottish, and later the British authorities decided to release him on compassionate grounds.
"For me, as minister for justice the case is finished and it is not right put someone on trial for the same thing twice, that is the basis of justice", said Mr al-Alagi.
But soon after, a spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:
"NTC Chairman Abdul Jalil has already assured the Prime Minister that the new Libyan authorities will co-operate with the UK in this and other ongoing investigations. Having spoken with the NTC ... we understand that this remains the case. The police investigation into the Lockerbie bombing remains open, and the Police should follow the evidence wherever it leads them."
Al-Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds in 2009 as he was not expected to live for more than a few months after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The UK is hoping for Libya's assistance in prosecuting others who are complicit in the 1988 PanAm bombing, which killed 270 people.
