Hopes of uncovering the full facts about the Lockerbie bombing have
suffered a setback as the Libyan Government grapples with rebuilding the war
torn country, it emerged yesterday.
It is understood files that could
potentially reveal what the Gaddafi regime knew about the atrocity have yet to
be opened up.
And the detailed process of going
through the documents could even have to wait until after next year's General
Elections.
The trial of Colonel Gaddafi's son,
Saif, also faces delay amid wrangling between the new Libyan Government and the
International Criminal Court.
And it is believed Libya's interim
government has to repair the justice system before the Gaddafi officials in
custody can be interrogated by UK police. This must be done to ensure any
evidence obtained is admissable in future prosecutions.
Despite the problems, the UK expressed
hopes yesterday that police investigating the Lockerbie bombing could visit the
North African state soon.
There has been intense speculation
about the secrets high-ranking officials in the Gaddafi regime could reveal.
The seizing of thousands of files from
his Government's ministries has also raised hopes they contain crucial clues
about what Colonel Gaddafi. who ruled Libya for almost three decades, knew
about the bombing.
On a visit to the UK last week, Libya's
Interior Minister assured the UK Government his administration was committed to
doing all it could to help the investigation into the bombing. (…)
Diplomats said Mr Abdilal had been
clear in his commitment to the inquiries during his visit.
"This is an issue we have raised
at pretty much every high level meeting that we have had," said one senior
diplomat.
"He said he was very happy for his
ministry and others to co-operate with us on these issues. The commitment is
there to work with us."
But he added: "They are just
themselves working to overcome a violent conflict and grappling to sort out
their ministries and archives and it might take them a little bit of
time." (…)
The new ruling Government first
announced it would co-operate with police investigating the Lockerbie bombing
in the aftermath of victory in the uprising.
Dumfries and Galloway Police, which is
leading the Lockerbie investigation, recently increased the number of officers
on the case in anticipation of visiting Libya to collect more evidence. Last
year officers from the force interviewed Moussa Koussa, the former foreign
minister, when he was in briefly based in London following his defection.
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