Focus reports by Menas Associates

18.08.10 Libya Politics and Security Saif al-Islam's planning Iftar celebration to recognise anniversary of al-Meghrahi's release

Saif al Islam Qadhafi and Abdel Basset al Meghrahi, Libya

With the first anniversary of the release of the former Lockerbie prisoner, Abdel Basset al-Meghrahi, there would appear to be no end in sight of Western fascination with the story. Not only are UK/Scottish and US officials still debating the issue of BP's reputed involvement in the convicted bomber's release on compassionate grounds but the international media are also focused on his continued survival despite the prognosis made this time last year.

In a move clearly designed to reap domestic support rather than impress an international audience, it is rumoured that Saif al-Islam Qadhafi is planning an Iftar celebration, during this holy month of Ramadan, to recognise the anniversary of al-Meghrahi's release and his continued survival. Saif al-Islam is largely credited with negotiating the release of the Libyan convicted of bringing down Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988.

The matter refuses to leave the public arena, and members of the US Senate and Congress - particularly those from New York and New Jersey, and others who are close to the families of the American Lockerbie victims - appear to be fixated on investigating its various aspects.

So far, it would seem that little concrete damage has been done to bilateral relations between the US and Libya. However, it is unlikely that this will still be the case if the matter is not dropped from public scrutiny in the near future.

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