Terrorist Freed

" Now for the top story tonight they hero's welcome in Tripoli came just hours. After President Obama said yes."

" We're now in contact with the Libyan government and wanna make sure that. If in fact this transfer has taken place that. He's not welcome back in some way but instead should be under house arrest."

" Today Obama called the -- highly objectionable. And Robert Gibbs said this."

" We communicated with the Libyan government. We continue to watch. What they do in the days going forward. About this individual and and understands. That the video and you saw yesterday is tremendously offensive to. The survivors that -- this has lost a loved one in 1988. The wind blowing off its. -- It's. -- though isn't -- flow through."

" We're watching government deceive others. Joining us now from Washington doctor Nile Gardiner from The Heritage Foundation and democratic strategist Robert -- Robert let me start with you how to the president handle this and could you done anything any differently than what he did. Well I think this is obviously an unfortunate situation president. The secretary of state. The US attorney general. Seven United States senators senators John McCain and senator Lieberman -- just back from a visit to Libya. Have all had the same message to both at the same thing. Which is this man should not be released and if he is released he should not be treated. As he was when he returned and that he should be in house arrest. In Libya the message from the United States in this really isn't democratic or Republican issue the message from the United States this Scottish government and the judge has been very clear. That this -- not been released. It's regrettable that he was it is a Scott tissue Scottish court and and regrettably not an American court or American decision."

" There was a unanimous. Song in essence being song I think by every American official and and I have to agree with you Robert I'm not sure what we -- asked the president. Because he he didn't have any jurisdiction. But -- let me bring you -- What do you think about the British government and specifically Scotland for allowing. This incredibly. Horrible terrorist. To go free and then the audacity of Libya welcoming him as if he were a walks are coming in for a concert."

" Well this was a disgraceful decision by the school -- government and that of course on the Scottish national policy. And I think that this decision to release a beautiful mass murdering terrorist. Has brought shame actually on the Scottish nation school and today is a a laughing stock on the world stage. As a result of them may be wrong headed decision. By this corporation and justice secretary. At the same time and Gordon Brown the British prime minister David Miliband. Of the British foreign secretary remained silent on the issue they should have intervened against the release all this terrorist. Also I think that although the Obama administration. Did -- strongly opposed the release President Obama himself. Did not personally intervene ahead of the release he should -- normal thing for the British prime minister. Imploring him against. The release of Al megrahi. But that's certainly I was disappointed on the half on the site or via the president. But at this stage it's important I think that the United States send a very clear signal to the Libyans. But this disgraceful welcoming ceremony. For a brief full terrorist. Will have consequences. And decided big wakeup call Ford administration. That has embarked upon a very dangerous and risky strategy of engagement that rogue regimes including Libya."

" One -- that was very distressing he got on that plane in this white suit looking like he was very ill and he comes off looking like. Wall Street bankers have all dressed up and a business suit like he has somehow how respectable. You know Robert when I saw that and I'm sure we all as Americans had a reaction. You just wanted to say look if you don't bring this guy on a stretcher and he's shackled then he's not so sick. That he should have ever been let out of that Scottish prison let me sit and ask you to respond to what -- said. Was there anything else that the president could have done should have done. Maybe two try to preempt the release."

" I think the president and press and his Press Secretary and secretary of state attorney general. Have been very transparent with the American people about what they wanted to happen. What they had said publicly but they've also been very clear and admit that they have communicated. Through appropriate and perhaps you know expressed inappropriate language through private diplomatic channels and those are very often. Private and confidential. But I I have to assume in and knowing in my time here watching that that that that has has taken place and it's been very aggressive. Again it's unfortunate wasn't president's decision. Because the decision would've been completely different."

" Well and I agree with you I do think that is very important to note. That nobody can blame President Obama for the release somebody can blame secretary of state Hillary Clinton. I think every American from the top to the bottom is outraged by this -- what lesson that we learned what we need to perhaps. Say or do in the future that would. Prevent this kind of horrific scene from ever happening again."

" Well we have been very wary -- dealing with dictatorial regimes like the Libyan regime but colonel Gadhafi maintains one of the most repressive. How society is on the face albeit he's a man not to be trusted the -- is a fundamentally. Evil -- And I think the biggest lesson here. Both for Britain and the United States is yeah be very wary of dealing with these kinds of individuals. Would have to be careful not to be seen to be appeasing. Dictatorial regimes that continue this -- gentlemen thank you very much."