New Media

If this is how Libyans receive convicted terrorists and mass murderers, then just imagine how they treat the paying tourists?

A crowd of thousands, many waving Scottish flags, gathered at Tripoli airport to welcome Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi as he stepped down from Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s private jet to the strains of patriotic music.

He had changed from a white tracksuit and baseball cap into a dark suit and tie during the flight and was leaning on a gold-rimmed walking stick as he emerged from the aircraft to be hugged by Colonel Gaddafi’s son. He was then taken in a motorcade to the city centre, where the main square was lit up in green and blue in preparation for a celebration that included a feast and laser show. The pan-Arab television channel Al-Jazeera reported that al-Megrahi’s car was held up along the way by the throng.

Also, mental note: if I’m ever going to murder someone, I’ll make sure I do it in Scotland. That way, I’ll only go to jail for 0.03 years. I think that works out to 12 days in prison per murder victim, which is what Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi received for killing 270 people.