Just in time to celebrate Muammar Gaddafi's 40 years of power in Libya.

Libya is set to flaunt the Lockerbie bomber's release at the climax of today's celebrations marking Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's 40 years in power.

The Times gained access last night to the dress rehearsal of a spectacular two-hour show which extols Colonel Gaddafi for reviving his country and restoring Arab pride. As the finale approaches, the screen at the back of the giant stage in Tripoli's Green Square shows Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi stepping off the plane which brought him home from his Scottish prison two weeks ago. His arms are raised aloft by Colonel Gaddafi's son, Saif, as he acknowledges the joyful reception from the crowd below.

Martin Fletcher, writing for the British Times Online, claims that unless the film clip of al-Megrahi triumphantly arriving in Libya is left on the cutting room floor, this seems to be a "calculated attempt to provoke the West."

But Britain is getting its oil; why should they be upset? Or provoked?