EDINBURGH, Scotland — The Scottish government says it will release Abdel Baset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds to allow him to return to Libya to die.

Al-Megrahi was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said today that there had been a significant deterioration in the health of al-Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer.

MacAskill says he is conscious that there "were deeply held feelings and that many may disagree."

The airliner, which was carrying mostly American passengers to New York, blew up as it flew over Scotland. All 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground died when the aircraft crashed into the town of Lockerbie.