Mandela may visit Lockerbie bomber

The former South African President, Nelson Mandela, is reported to be considering a visit to the Libyan man imprisoned for the Lockerbie bombing in 1988, which killed 270 people.

A British newspaper, The Sunday Times, quoted supporters of the convicted bomber, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, as saying that they hope that a visit can be arranged next month.

A spokeswoman for Mr Mandela said the visit may be delayed until next year because of the former president's ill health and busy schedule.

Mr Mandela was instrumental in helping to break the diplomatic deadlock between Libya, Britain and the United States, that allowed the trial to take place.

The paper quoted a lawyer involved in the case as saying that al-Megrahi has been told that Mr Mandela feels an affinity with anyone who may have been wrongly accused and imprisoned.

Al-Megrahi is serving a minimum of 20 years in prison for planting the bomb.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service