Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103

Date: 5 Apr 1999
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103

President Nelson Mandela earned worldwide praise for his role in persuading Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie in Scotland in 1988, killing altogether 270 people, crew, passengers and residents of the town. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has agreed to hand over the suspects to be tried in a Scottish court of law in the Netherlands. Mandela, who was to retire in three months' time, has not only scored a diplomatic victory but has also proved his moral stature. Following an 84 days' trial, Abdelbaset ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was jailed for life in January 2001. Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah, his co-accused, was acquitted and returned to Libya.

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01Anon.(2001), Profile: Mandela's magic touch,from the BBC News, 28 August,[online],Available at news.bbc.co.uk [Accessed: 4 April 2014]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013431

South African History Online (2011) ' Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013431 (Accessed: 24 September 2026).

South African History Online, Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103 [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013431, (accessed 24 September 2026).

" Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013431. Accessed 24 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. " Mandela persuades Libya to hand over two suspects accused of placing a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013431.