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Lockerbie bomber freed, returns to cheers in Libya

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-21 12:02

Libyan Abdel Basset al-Megrahi (R) is helped by relatives as he walks down the stairs upon his arrival at airport in Tripoli August 20, 2009. [Agencies]

International photographers and camera crews -- along with most Libyan broadcast media -- were barred from filming the arrival at the airport, which decades ago had been part of a US air base.

Al-Megrahi's release disgusted many victims' relatives.

Related readings: Scotland releases Lockerbie bomber Release of Lockerbie bomber disappoints US Bomber allowed to drop appeal Lockerbie bomber's release debated Libya wants Lockerbie bomber back

"You get that lump in your throat and you feel like you're going to throw up," said Norma Maslowski, of Haddonfield, New Jersey, whose 30-year-old daughter, Diane, died in the attack.

"This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil," said Susan Cohen, of Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Her 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, was killed.

At home, al-Megrahi, 57, is seen as an innocent scapegoat the West used to turn this African nation into a pariah. At the airport, some wore T-shirts with his picture and waved Libyan and miniature blue-and-white Scottish flags. Libyan songs blared in the background.

"It's a great day for us," 24-year-old Abdel-Aal Mansour said. "He belongs here, at home."

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