Gaddafi seen meeting bomber on TV

　　Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has defied strong criticism from the UK and the US by meeting Lockerbie bomber 1 Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on Libyan TV.
　　The pair were shown embracing and talking, while Col Gaddafi also spoke 2 to Megrahi's family.
　　The Scottish Government freed the terminally-ill 57-year-old on compassionate（同情心） grounds on Thursday.
　　Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office has denied claims Megrahi was released to ensure trade deals with Libya.
　　Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, told Libyan TV Megrahi's case was raised during talks over oil and gas.
　　But the Foreign Office said no deal had been made.
　　Meanwhile, Megrahi told the Times newspaper he intended to present new evidence proving his innocence 3.
　　The man convicted of killing 4 270 people aboard a transatlantic airliner 5 in 1988 said he would present the evidence through lawyers in Scotland and ask the British and Scottish communities to "be the jury".
　　No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interestsUK Foreign OfficeBomber release: What now?
　　He said he was "very, very happy" to be free.
　　"This was my hope and wish - to be back with my family before I pass away. I always believed I would come back if justice prevailed."Colonel Gaddafi's son had labelled Megrahi's release a "victory".
　　In an interview with a Libyan station, Mr Islam reportedly claimed that the Megrahi issue had been raised repeatedly by Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair.
　　"In all commercial contracts, for oil and gas with Britain, (Megrahi) was always on the negotiating table," Mr Islam said told Libya's Al Mutawassit channel.
　　Mr Blair visited Libya in May 2007, during which UK energy giant BP signed a $900m (?540m) exploration deal.
　　However, the Foreign Office insisted Megrahi's release had been a matter solely 6 for the Scottish authorities.
　　A spokesman said: "No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial （商业）interests in the country."UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier rejected suggestions the UK pushed for Megrahi's release to improve relations as "a slur 7 on both myself and the government".
　　Prince AndrewSeparately, the Foreign Office was unable to confirm whether a planned trip to Libya by the Duke of York in September would be cancelled.
　　A spokeswoman said an official invitation to the British government from Libya had not yet been received.
　　However, it is believed any visit by a member of the Royal Family is unlikely to go ahead in light of the furore surrounding Megrahi's return.
　　HAVE YOUR SAY This won't have any long term affect on relations with the US, but the decision shows a lack of empathy for the families of the murdered, and it will affect themGerry Giambattista, PennsylvaniaSend us your comments The bomber's release - and the hero's welcome he was given on return to Libya - provoked anger from many relatives of those who died aboard Pan-Am flight 103, particularly in the US.
　　President Barack Obama condemned 8 the jubilant scenes at Tripoli airport as "highly objectionable".
　　The UK foreign secretary described TV footage of people greeting Megrahi by cheering and waving flags as "deeply distressing 9".
　　Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond also said the reception was "inappropriate".
　　UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has so far made no comment, although it has emerged he wrote to Col Gaddafi to ask that Libya "act with sensitivity" in its welcome.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)