Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi | featured news

The Scottish government Monday took aim at critics of its decision to release Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, a day after CNN found him comatose and near death.

Leaked U.S. diplomatic cables showed growing anxiety in the British government over threats from the Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi, should the convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset al-Megrahi die in a Scottish prison.

Britain agreed to include Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi in a prisoner transfer deal with Libya because of "overwhelming interests" before an oil deal was sealed, a newspaper reported.

Scotland's parliament is being recalled for an emergency session amid growing international outrage over last week's release of the man convicted for the Lockerbie plane bombing.

A Scottish court is expected to release convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi on compassionate grounds, senior State Department officials tell CNN.