The former Libyan intelligence officer convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people has died, his brother said today. He was 59.

Abdel Basset al-Megrahi died at home after a long battle with cancer. His health had deteriorated quickly, his brother Abdulhakim told Reuters.

Al-Megrahi was the only man convicted of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing, which blew up over Lockerbie four days before Christmas in 1988. His conviction was partly the result of testimony by a Maltese shopkeeper who said Al Magrahi bought clothes which, experts said, had been wrapped around the bomb. Doubts have since been cast on that testimony.

Megrahi admitted that he used to travel to Malta, but denied his visits had anyhing to do with the bombing, saying instead that he came here 'for sex'.

Meghrahi was sentenced to life in prison in 2001, but was released on compassionate grounds in August 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

At the time, doctors estimated he had around three months to live.

His family has on several occasions said that he is near death, in what was seen as an attempt to justify his release.