Obama condemns Lockerbie bomber's release

His comments reflected the anger held by many American families who lost loved ones in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Of the 270 victims of the terrorist attack, 189 were from the US.

The release of the man convicted over the atrocity yesterday was met by disbelief by some in America.

Many could not understand how the Scottish justice system could show compassion for Megrahi, freeing him to live out the remaining weeks of his life in his homeland.

Susan Cohen, of New Jersey, who lost her 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, in the bombing, said: “I think it’s appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it.”

Likewise Kara Weipz, also of New Jersey found it difficult to contain her anger. Her 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was among the American victims.

“I don’t understand how the Scots can show compassion. It is an utter insult and utterly disgusting,” Ms Weipz said.

Cable news channels showed footage of Megrahi’s homecoming in Libya, complete with cheering crowds, in a move that further angered those who lost loved ones.

Criticism of the Scottish decision came from the highest level.

In a live radio interview, the president said the United States administration had been in contact with the Scottish government to register its objections.

Mr Obama said he had contacted families of the victims and indicated to them that he believed the release was inappropriate.

He added: “We have been in contact with the Scottish government indicating that we objected to this. We thought it was a mistake.

“We are now in contact with the Libyan government and want to make sure that if this transfer has taken place, that he is not welcomed back in some way but should instead be under house arrest.”

It followed earlier condemnation from the White House press secretary and US attorney general Eric Holder.

In his attack on the decision, Mr Holder said it had “no justification”.

He said: “We are extremely disappointed with the Scottish Executive’s decision to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi. The interests of justice have not been served by this decision.”

Mr Holder added: “Megrahi did not show and has not shown compassion for innocent human life, and as we communicated to the Scottish authorities and the UK government, it continues to be our position that he should have been required to serve the entire sentence handed down for his crimes.”

Speaking on CNN, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill attempted to defend his decision to an American audience.

He said: “In Scotland, justice is tempered with compassion. That is why he has been allowed to go home to die.

Mr MacAskill added: “I’m showing his family some compassion. I accept it is a compassion not shown to families in the United States or in Scotland.

“But we have values and we will not debase them and we will seek to live up to those values of humanity that we pride ourselves on.”

Meanwhile, Al Megrahi spoke of his “relief” at being freed and “sympathy” for the families of those who died in the atrocity as he flew home to Libya.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi also reiterated that he did not carry out the 1988 bombing, and offered his “gratitude and best wishes” to the people of Scotland.

A statement was issued last night on his behalf after he left prison in Greenock. He had served almost eight years of a 27-year sentence.

It said: “I am obviously very relieved to be leaving my prison cell at last and returning to Libya, my homeland.

“Many people, including the relatives of those who died in, and over, Lockerbie, are, I know, upset that my appeal has come to an end; that nothing more can be done about the circumstances surrounding the Lockerbie bombing.

“I share their frustration. I had most to gain and nothing to lose about the whole truth coming out – until my diagnosis of cancer.

“To those victims’ relatives who can bear to hear me say this: they continue to have my sincere sympathy for the unimaginable loss that they have suffered. To those who bear me ill will, I do not return that to you.”

His statement continued: “I cannot find words in my language or yours that give proper expression to the desolation I have felt.

“This horrible ordeal is not ended by my return to Libya. It may never end for me until I die. Perhaps the only liberation for me will be death.

“And I say in the clearest possible terms, which I hope every person in every land will hear: all of this I have had to endure for something that I did not do.

“The remaining days of my life are being lived under the shadow of the wrongness of my conviction. I have been faced with an appalling choice: to risk dying in prison in the hope that my name is cleared posthumously or to return home still carrying the weight of the guilty verdict, which will never now be lifted.

“The choice which I made is a matter of sorrow, disappointment and anger, which I fear I will never overcome. I say goodbye to Scotland and shall not return. My time here has been very unhappy and I do not leave a piece of myself.

“But to the country’s people I offer my gratitude and best wishes.”

Megrahi also criticised the court proceedings against him and described the guilty verdict as “nothing short of a disgrace”.

The statement went on: “To be incarcerated in a far off land, completely alien to my way of life and culture has been not only been a shock but also a most profound dislocation for me personally and for my whole family.

“I have had many burdens to overcome during my incarceration. I had to sit through a trial which I had been persuaded to attend on the basis that it would have been scrupulously fair.

“In my second, most recent, appeal I disputed such a description.

“I had to endure a verdict being issued at the conclusion of that trial which is now characterised by my lawyers, and the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, as unreasonable.

“To me, and to other right thinking people back at home in Libya, and in the international community, it is nothing short of a disgrace.”

He thanked prison staff for their “kindness” and expressed gratitude for the medical care he received.

The statement continued: “I bear no ill will to the people of Scotland; indeed, it is one of my regrets that I have been unable to experience any meaningful aspect of Scottish life, or to see your country.

“To the staff in HM Prison Greenock, and before that at HM Prison Barlinnie, I wish to express thanks for the kindness that they were able to show me.

“For those who assisted in my medical and nursing care; who tried to make my time here as comfortable as possible, I am of course grateful.”