‘Gaddafi to meet Lockerbie bomber for anniversary of release’

LIBYAN leader Colonel Gaddafi plans to pay respects to the Lockerbie bomber to mark the first anniversary of his release, it was reported today.

Gaddafi, who was blamed by many for sanctioning the bombing of Pan Am 103, will speak to Abdelbaset Al Megrahi in a move that will recognise “a Libyan hero”.

Plans are also reported to be in place for Megrahi to be visited tomorrow by Saif Gaddafi, the colonel’s son, who accompanied the former intelligence officer on his flight home from Scotland last year.

It is understood that a decision on whether Colonel Gaddafi will personally visit Megrahi, 58, will be made in the next 24 hours.

But due to Megrahi’s poor health, and to avoid causing further offence in the West, the celebrations are likely to be low key.

The event is set to take place at the two-storey villa in a suburb of Tripoli where Megrahi lives amid tight security with his father Ali, 87, his wife Aisha, 48, and their four sons and daughter.