Libya's New Regime Will Assist Scottish Prosectors With Lockerbie Investigation

Libyan authorities have said they will co-operate with Scottish prosecutors and police investigating the Lockerbie bombing, the Foreign Office have said.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) have reassured the UK government as recent reports have suggested Libya's interim justice minister had described the Lockerbie bombing case as "closed".

Mohammed al-Alag was asked for his response at a press conference as Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC requested that Libyan authorities hand over any information that could lead to a second trial for the atrocity, which killed 270 people in December 1988.

Abdelbasset al-Megrahi, a former Libyan agent, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is the only person to have been convicted of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie in Scotland.

He was released by Scotland on compassionate grounds in 2009 and sent home to Libya as he was suffering from advanced terminal prostate cancer and thought to only have a few months to live.

The Foreign 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."

Scottish prosecutors are looking for assistance from the NTC to gain more evidence which will lead to convictions for others who were involved.

On Monday, the Crown Office, the prosecution service in Scotland, accepted that Mergrahi "did not work alone" and it is hoped that recent developments in Libya will lead the country to assist with further enquiries.

A spokesman said: "The trial court accepted that Mr Megrahi acted in furtherance of the Libyan intelligence services in an act of state-sponsored terrorism and did not act alone.

"Lockerbie remains an open inquiry concerning the involvement of others with Mr Megrahi in the murder of 270 people.

"The crown will continue to pursue lines of inquiry that become available, and following recent events in Libya, has asked the National Transitional Council, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for assistance with the investigation.

"In particular we have asked the NTC to make available to the crown any documentary evidence and witnesses which could assist in the ongoing inquiries.

"As the investigation remains live and in order to preserve the integrity of that investigation, it would not be appropriate to offer further comment."

Amin Khalifa Fhimah also stood trial with Megrahi, but was acquitted of any involvement.