**Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has made his first public appearance since receiving a hero’s welcome on his return to Libya.**The BBC’s Rana Jawad in Tripoli said he met a delegation of pan-African MPs in the hospital where he is being treated.
He received a standing ovation, but after less than five minutes began to cough and signalled he wanted to leave.
The Scottish authorities freed Megrahi last month on compassionate grounds because he has terminal cancer.
He is the only person to be convicted of the blowing up Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in December 1988, killing 270 people.
Carefully orchestrated
There has been political fallout following the hero’s welcome he received on his return to Libya, with accusations that the release was tied to trade links with the British government.
Our correspondent says Megrahi was wheeled out by a nurse from a back room that led to the small stage of the lecture hall at Tripoli’s Medical Centre.
He appeared to be frail, wearing a surgeon’s mask that covered most of his face and a colourful, sequined traditional skullcap, she says.
He remained silent in his wheelchair as he was greeted by about 40 African MPs who are in the country to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the African Union.
After he started coughing, he was immediately wheeled off the stage.
Our reporter says it seemed a carefully orchestrated event intended to send a signal to the Scottish, British and US governments.