Libyan authorities have said they will co-operate with Scottish prosecutors and police investigating the Lockerbie bombing, the Foreign Office has said.
The National Transitional Council (NTC) has reassured the UK government after reports suggested Libya's interim justice minister had said the Lockerbie bombing case was "closed".
Mohammed al-Alagi was asked for his response at a press conference after Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC requested Libyan authorities hand over any information that could lead to a second trial over the atrocity, which killed 270 people in December 1988.
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.
According to reports, Libya's interim justice minister Mohammed al-Alagi, responding to news of the request, told a press conference in Tripoli: "The case is closed."
But 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 seeking assistance from the NTC to gain evidence that could lead to the conviction of others involved.
On Monday, the Crown Office, the prosecution service in Scotland, said it accepts Megrahi "did not act alone" and it is hopeful recent developments in Libya will mean the country will help with the inquiry.
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."
Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds from Greenock prison in August 2009, when doctors advised he had around three months to live after he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.
Amin Khalifa Fhimah also stood trial with Megrahi, but was acquitted of any involvement.
taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/27/libya-national-transitional-council-lockerbie
The National Transitional Council (NTC) has reassured the UK government after reports suggested Libya's interim justice minister had said the Lockerbie bombing case was "closed".
Mohammed al-Alagi was asked for his response at a press conference after Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC requested Libyan authorities hand over any information that could lead to a second trial over the atrocity, which killed 270 people in December 1988.
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.
According to reports, Libya's interim justice minister Mohammed al-Alagi, responding to news of the request, told a press conference in Tripoli: "The case is closed."
But 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 seeking assistance from the NTC to gain evidence that could lead to the conviction of others involved.
On Monday, the Crown Office, the prosecution service in Scotland, said it accepts Megrahi "did not act alone" and it is hopeful recent developments in Libya will mean the country will help with the inquiry.
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."
Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds from Greenock prison in August 2009, when doctors advised he had around three months to live after he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.
Amin Khalifa Fhimah also stood trial with Megrahi, but was acquitted of any involvement.
taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/27/libya-national-transitional-council-lockerbie
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