Lockerbie demo held outside British embassy

Angry demonstrators have protested outside the British Embassy in Libya, pressing for the conviction of the Lockerbie bomber to be overturned.

The Foreign Office spokeswoman confirms there was a demonstration outside the embassy in Tripoli.

But she did not comment on reports that police beat protesters and sprayed tear gas at a crowd trying to break into the building.

She says: "At no time was the embassy breached. Staff safety is our first priority and we made clear to the authorities the need to ensure the security of our diplomatic premises was maintained".

The demonstration is the latest development following the wave of hysteria that has gripped the country since Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi was convicted on Wednesday of bombing Pan Am Flight 103.

The Libyan intelligence agent was jailed for life, and is expected to appeal against his conviction.

He was given 14 days' leave to appeal when judgment was pronounced last Wednesday.

Any appeal would be heard at Camp Zeist near Utrecht in Holland where the trial took place and Al Megrahi will remain in prison there until then.