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The Scottish justice minister is defending his decision to free Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi from prison, and is levelling criticism against Libya for receiving him with a warm welcome, despite promises not to do so.

The Scottish parliament convened an emergency session Monday in the wake of criticism of the government's decision to release al-Megrahi and send him back to Libya.

Scottish legislators sought to question First Minister Alex Salmond and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who admitted when the session opened that it was his decision to free al-Megrahi.

Al-Megrahi was the only man convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 that went down in Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing all 259 people on the plane and 11 on the ground.

MacAskill decided to release al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds -- he is terminally ill with prostate cancer -- but said he received reassurances from Libya that "any return would be dealt with in a low-key and sensitive fashion."

"It is a matter of great regret that Mr. (al-)Megrahi was received in such an inappropriate manner," MacAskill told the Scottish parliament on Monday. "It showed no compassion or sensitivity to the families of the 270 victims of Lockerbie."

Al-Megrahi arrived in Libya Thursday night to a warm welcome from Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi and cheering crowds waving Libyan and Scottish flags.

MacAskill's decision has sparked intense criticism from the U.S. government and families of the American victims.

In a letter to the Scottish government, FBI director Robert Mueller said the decision offered comfort to terrorists, and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the move was "obviously a political decision."

MacAskill said Monday his decision, "was not based on political, economic or diplomatic considerations.

"This was my decision and my decision alone," MacAskill said. "I stand by it and I live with the consequences."

Critics decry compassionate release

Compassionate release is a hallmark of the Scottish legal system.

Twenty-four of 31 applications for compassionate release over the last decade have been approved. Cancer specialists predict al-Megrahi has about three months to live.

Â鶹ӰÊÓ' London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy said that while some of the victims' family members agree with MacAskill's decision, many do not.

"People taking this point of view (say), 'why should we show any compassion for al-Megrahi when he showed absolutely no compassion for the hundreds of people he mass murdered back in 1988?'" Kennedy said Monday during an interview with Â鶹ӰÊÓ Channel.

MacAskill also faced his critics in the Scottish parliament.

"Last week, the Scottish government made a wrong decision in the wrong way with the wrong consequences," Labour legislator Iain Gray told parliament. He said Scottish people were ashamed "to see our flag flying to welcome a convicted bomber home."

MacAskill's critics feel that he has underestimated the severity and scale of the bombing and its aftermath, Keith Weir, Reuters' chief London correspondent, told News Channel.

"This of course was the worst terrorist attack that ever took place on British soil and I think the feeling was that he has done perhaps two things wrong," Weir said. "First of all, he underestimated the scale of the backlash from relatives, particularly in North America. And secondly, he didn't realize the way that this would be played in Libya and used as a propaganda coup. In a way, his critics are accusing him of being quite politically na�ve."

MacAskill's future in question

According to Weir, the mounting backlash calls into question the future of Salmond's minority government.

"It remains to be seen if the opposition parties get together and call a confidence vote," Weir told News Channel. "But I think it's going to make things very uncomfortable for the Scottish National Party."

Some Scottish politicians have vowed to introduce a confidence vote on MacAskill when parliament begins its fall session next week, which could imperil Salmond's government.

While Scotland is a part of Britain, it has its own parliament that oversees a number of areas, such as justice, health and education.

The British Parliament retains control of issues such as defence, energy and foreign relations.

The British government has remained relatively quiet on the issue, likely not wanting to be seen interfering in Scottish affairs, but also to avoid being linked with the freeing of a terrorist.

However, a spokesperson for Brown said al-Megrahi's release was "a uniquely sensitive and difficult decision," made by Scottish officials.

"This was a decision taken by the Scottish Justice Secretary in accordance with the laws of Scotland," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity in line with government policy. "I don't see that anyone can argue that this gives succor (to terrorists)."

Britain has also cancelled Prince Andrew's trade trip to Libya, which had been scheduled for next month. Andrew has travelled to Libya a number of times as a trade ambassador.

With files from The Associated Press