Lockerbie bomber said to be close to death

Tripoli (Libya), Dec.9 (ANI): Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was last night said to be "close to death".ccording to The Scottish Sun, the freed mass murderer, 58, was on life support after slipping into a coma about a week ago.

A source close to the convicted killer's family confirmed Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, had been unable to talk for several weeks.

Last night his family were said to be at his bedside.

The source added that Megrahi was not expected to be alive when the 22nd anniversary of the atrocity - that claimed 270 lives - takes place later this month.

The news came 16 months after the terrorist was allowed home to die on compassionate grounds by Scots Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

He returned to a hero's welcome in Tripoli after being freed from Greenock jail.

But his release provoked widespread fury from US politicians and victims' relatives after medical experts who examined him said he had less than three months to live.

But Megrahi - given a life sentence nine years ago for blowing up Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 - has always maintained his innocence. (ANI)