Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Al Megrahi has told British newspapers that he never met the Maltese shopkeeper who identified him in the trial which led to his conviction.

Looking frail, the bed ridden former intelligence officer gave an interview a few days before the 23rd anniversary of the downing of the Pan Am Boeing 747 over the Scottish village of Lockerbie, killing 270.

His conviction hinged on the testimony of a Sliema shopkeeper, Tony Gauci, who identified Megrahi as the person who bought clothes which were found in the suitcase where the bomb was placed.

Megrahi continued to insist that he is innocent and urged his supporters to clear his name.