Lockerbie bomber drops appeal

A Scottish court on Tuesday allowed the Lockerbie bomber to drop an appeal against his conviction — a step that could lead to the Libyan man's possible release or transfer to a prison in his homeland.

Photo: Lockerbie bomber drops appeal

Libya wants Abdel Baset al-Megrahi sent home, but U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Scotland to keep him in prison to serve out his 27-year sentence. Seven U.S. senators — including Edward Kennedy and John Kerry — also wrote to Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill with a similar request, The Associated Press reports.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi is serving a life sentence for the 1988 bombing which killed 270 people.

There is speculation he could soon be released and then taken back to Libya.

Lawyers acting for Megrahi - who has terminal prostate cancer - told the High Court in Edinburgh his prognosis was extremely limited, Sky News informs.

The court is expected to meet again in three weeks' time to finalize the closing of the appeal process.

Megrahi was convicted in 2001 of plotting the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland, killing all 259 people on board and 11 people on the ground. The Libyan, a former intelligence agent, was sentenced to 27 years in prison, Reuters reports.