The Justice Minister of the newly changed regime in Libya has welcomed the possibility of a new trial in the Pan Am 103 case, claiming such an event would exonerate the only man convicted of the atrocity, Abdelbaset Al Megrahi.

Last week, Mohammed Al Alagi said the case was closed, rebuffing an attempt by the Crown Office to ingather any possible evidence.

He has now invited the Scottish authorities to proceed with a new trial, should they have "facts" to proceed.

"We will cooperate in this regard with whoever has any other facts, according to international treaties," he said.

He said any new investigation would lead to the acquittal of Megrahi, who he said had been "unjustly convicted in this case."

The Crown Office maintain that the case of the Pan Am 103 incident remains open, although Christine Grahame MSP, convener of the justice committee, described the investigation as a "box ticking exercise."