PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Scottish prosecutors' hopes of help with their investigation into the Lockerbie bombing look set to be dashed after Libya's interim justice minister reportedly said "the case is closed".
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC has requested that Libyan authorities hand over any information that could lead to a second trial over the atrocity, which killed 270 people in December 1988.
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is the only person to have been convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie.
But according to reports, Libya's interim justice minister Mohammed al-Alagi, responding to news of the request, told a press conference: "The case is closed."
The Crown Office declined to comment on the interim justice minister's comment.
Prosecutors are seeking assistance from Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) to gain evidence that could lead to the conviction of others involved in the atrocity.
Earlier a Crown Office spokesman said that it accepts that Megrahi "did not act alone" and it is hopeful recent developments in Libya will mean the country will assist with the inquiry.
He said: "The trial court accepted that Mr Megrahi acted in furtherance of the Libyan intelligence services in an act of state-sponsored terrorism and did not act alone.
"Lockerbie remains an open inquiry concerning the involvement of others with Mr Megrahi in the murder of 270 people.
"The Crown will continue to pursue lines of inquiry that become available, and following recent events in Libya, has asked the National Transitional Council, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for assistance with the investigation."