U.S. to investigate Gadhafi role in Lockerbie attack

Hillary Clinton backs probe into Gadhafi's involvement in the 1988 terror attack, building a criminal case

Published March 1, 2011 8:56PM (EST)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures as she speaks at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The 27-nation bloc agreed an arms embargo, asset freeze and visa ban against Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi on Monday. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures as she speaks at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The 27-nation bloc agreed an arms embargo, asset freeze and visa ban against Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi on Monday. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (AP)

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Obama administration may seek the prosecution of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. That follows claims from some ex-Libyan officials that Gadhafi personally ordered the airline attack that killed 270 people.

Clinton tells Congress on Tuesday that she will ask the FBI and Justice Department to look into the matter in response to lawmakers' requests.

She noted that some Libyan officials who have defected in recent weeks have said Gadhafi gave the instructions to blow up Pan Am flight 103.

The U.S. has considered Pan Am 103 a closed case since a former Libyan intelligence officer was convicted of the bombing and Libya had paid compensation to families of the victims.


By Associated Press

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