The Libyan govt paid compensation to the victims' families following the conviction of Mr Magrahi because it was the only way they could get international sanctions lifted. Libya accepted responsibility for paying compensation but did not admit having anything to do with the Lockerbie bombing. This distinction between accepting responsibility and accepting guilt has always been ignored in the US/UK media. Cleary the US and UK govts were anxious that Mr Magrahi take the blame for Lockerbie and then that he should rot in a Scottish jail...end of story.