Libyans back plan for Lockerbie trial
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE TRIAL of the two Libyans accused of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing came a step closer yesterday when the Libyan parliament voted to accept a trial in Holland under Scottish law. However, the Libyans said that further unspecified obstacles may yet have to be overcome.
The Foreign Office said the move seemed "mildly encouraging". A spokesman added: "At the moment it is only a Libyan media report. We have to be circumspect unless and until we have a formal response."
British officials said Libya now must make a formal response through the office of the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
Mr Annan said yesterday that he hoped the long deadlock over the two suspects, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimahmay, would soon be ended. "I think they [the Libyans] will move in the right direction," he said.
The UN chief conceded that several details were still missing from the resolution passed in Libya and that he would be seeking clarifications from the Libyan ambassador to the UN. Only then, Mr Annan said, would he report to the Security Council on whether the way was cleared for a trial.
While the Libyan resolution had endorsed the plan to hold the trial in a "neutral territory", there was no mention of the Netherlands. This was the venue chosen by Britain and the United States. Nor did it address the matter of where the two men might serve their sentences. London and Washington insist it should be in Scotland.
The bomb, set on board a Pan Am airliner, killed 270 people.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments