Senators Express Strong Disappointment on the Release of Lockerbie Bomber

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), and Susan Collins (R-ME) today expressed strong disappointment at the Scottish government's decision to release a former Libyan agent convicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. During a recent Congressional delegation trip, Senators McCain, Lieberman, and Collins met with Libyan leaders, including Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, and expressed their resolute opposition to the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi.

"We are deeply disappointed at the decision to release Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the only person ever convicted in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103," the senators said.

"During our meeting with Libyan leaders, including Colonel Qadhafi, we expressed our strong opposition to Megrahi's release and warned of possible damage to the growing bilateral ties between the United States and Libya. We also made clear that, should Megrahi be released, the Libyan government should handle his return in a fashion that strengthens the growing ties of friendship between our two peoples, rather than undermines it. Megrahi is a convicted killer of American citizens and must be treated as such.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the 189 Americans who were killed in the bombing who have suffered tremendous pain and hardship as a result of this horrific act."