In April 1999, Col Gadaffi handed over two men accused by the US of planting the Lockerbie bomb.

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He denied that another president - Dmitry Medvedev of Russia - had offered to mediate with Colonel Gadaffi.

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But Friday saw no sign of that triumphalism from government ministers and Col Gadaffi has still to give his reaction to the release, he says.

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Mendis had to have shrapnel extracted from his head and back after gunmen fired at the team bus as it made its way to the Gadaffi Stadium on 3 March.

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