U.S., U.K. Demands Libya Accept Responsibility for Lockerbie
Feb. 1 -- A day after a special court found him not guilty of murdering 270 people on board Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, Lamen Khalifa Fhimah arrived back in the Libyan capital of Tripoli to a hero's welcome.
Fhimah stepped off a Dutch military aircraft at Tripoli's MaatikaAirport today to a media crush as dozens of reporters rushed toward him. Security officers were present at the airport as Fhimah's family awaited his arrival.
He arrived on a Dutch military flight from the Netherlands where he stood trial.
The Libyan government, according to the BBC, has been tailoring its response in Libyan newspapers, calling his release a historic and unprecedented victory for Libya, which confronts the arrogance and oppression of colonialism.
The unusual language is being seen as an attempt by the Libyan government to distract attention from the fact that a Libyan citizen was convicted of one of the greatest crimes committed in recent history.
In receiving Fhimah at his official residence, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi told reporters, "I have proven evidence that he [Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, who was convicted] is innocent and I'll reveal the evidence Monday."
One Jailed, One Free
On Wednesday, a panel of three Scottish judges in the Netherlands found the 44-year-old Libyan not guilty of murdering 270 people in the bombing of Pan Am 103 in 1988.
His co-defendant Megrahi however was convicted of the bombing and sentenced to life in jail.
Fhimah, who is reportedly married with five children, was employed by Libyan Arab Airlines as a station manager in Malta until shortly before the bombing.
The announcement came as Scottish legal experts today said they expected Fhimah's former colleague Megrahi to appeal the ruling.
Under Scottish law, which the case was heard under, Megrahi has 14 days to appeal the conviction.
In Edinburgh today, the country's Lord Advocate told the Scottish Parliament that though Megrahi was not acting alone, new evidence was needed before any further charges could be pressed.
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