Libyan Abdel Basset al-Megrahi (R) is helped by relatives as he walks down the stairs upon his arrival at airport in Tripoli August 20, 2009. [Agencies]

International photographers and camera crews -- along with most Libyan broadcast media -- were barred from filming the arrival at the airport, which decades ago had been part of a US air base.

Al-Megrahi's release disgusted many victims' relatives.

"This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil," said Susan Cohen, of Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Her 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, was killed.

At home, al-Megrahi, 57, is seen as an innocent scapegoat the West used to turn this African nation into a pariah. At the airport, some wore T-shirts with his picture and waved Libyan and miniature blue-and-white Scottish flags. Libyan songs blared in the background.

"It's a great day for us," 24-year-old Abdel-Aal Mansour said. "He belongs here, at home."