Abdel Baset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi's statement:

" We want to reaffirm to everyone that we are two simple Libyan nationals. We do not practise politics. We support families and have children. We love our children and we love our families. This is our normal life.

"We were employees until we found ourselves involved in this accusation. Our confidence in our innocence has no bounds. We are confident of our lawyers' ability to defend us.

"Through the facts they [the lawyers] have in their possession we are going to prove our innocence to the world.

"On the occasion of leaving [Libya] we want to tell everyone that, after getting the permission from the investigating judge and the public prosecutor, we are leaving freely and willingly without any pressure in order to appear before the Scottish court in the Netherlands.

"We want everyone to know that we have a great deal of self-confidence.

"Time will prove that we are telling the truth and you are present here and are witnesses [of what I am saying]. We thank you once again for coming. We are also sorry that you had a difficult journey [by land]; next time you will come directly [by air] to Tripoli, and we are going to welcome you happily. God bless you."

Al-Amin Khalifa Fhimah:

The second suspect, Al-Amin Khalifa Fhimah, gave a V-for-Victory sign as he said: "I have nothing to add to what my friend has said.

"I hope to see you on our return very soon, God willing.

"Thank you. I wish for victory, God willing."

Saudi call for end to sanctions

Meanwhile, Prince Bandar, the Saudi negotiator who helped implement the handover of the suspects, has urged the lifting of the sanctions on Libya.

Here is the text of his televised address:

[Saudi Ambassador to the US, Prince Bandar] As I have mentioned previously, the world ought to know that we are not mediators.

We are your partners in good times and bad times. We hope that the brothers [the two suspects] will come back safely after they have proven their innocence to the world.

At any rate, everyone must know that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, the Western media and some Arab media talk as if an indictment is there already. This is untrue and unacceptable.

As for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, what is for the good of Libya is for the good of all Arabs. We hope that today is made a happy day through the lifting of the sanctions on Libya.

It is the day when the brothers [the suspects] made their decision with their own free will. This is a kind of national service to their people. It is the bravery of decision-making.

Had they had the least doubt [about their innocence] they would not have done so.

Regrettably, I would like, through the Libyan media, to chide some Arab media which report inaccurately what they receive from Western media. I hope their stance will be a pan-Arab one which supports Libya in this undoubtedly decisive decision.

In fact, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and South Africa are not the only ones who made efforts. Other Arab countries and their leaders helped a great deal.

At the forefront of these are HE President Husni Mubarak of the great Egypt, HM King Hassan of the dear Morocco, President Ben Ali of Tunisia and the late King Hussein [of Jordan] who also played a role. Your [Lockerbie] issue was the concern of the entire Arab nation.

With God's help we have reached the end of the darkness which was hanging over the region. Libya will be in a position to play its role, which is needed by the Arab nation, more prominently. In the end, I would like to express my appreciation, respect and admiration for the brother leader [Gaddafi] and the noble Libyan people.