THE two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing will learn their fate 
early next month.

Though the hearing at Camp Zeist in Holland started on May 3 last year, there have only been 84 court days because of interruptions. During that time, 235 witnesses have been called. 

The bill for what has become the most expensive trial in British legal history is expected to top pounds 60million. 

After defence advocate Richard Keen, QC, completed his summing up yesterday, the judges - Lord Sutherland, Lord Coulsfield and Lord Maclean - revealed their likely timetable for a verdict. 

Presiding judge Lord Sutherland, said: "It is quite apparent from the submissions which have been made there is a great deal of material for us to consider. And, obviously, it will take us considerable time to go through it in order to arrive at averdict." 

He said they would return to court on Tuesday, January 30, although it was "highly unlikely" they would have a decision by that day. 

But they might be in a position to forecast when a verdict would be delivered. 

The Crown concede that the case against Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, 48, and Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah, 44, is circumstantial. 

The prosecution claim both men placed the bomb in a suitcase and put it on a Malta-Frankfurt flight, before jetting back to Libya. 

The bag passed through controls at Frankfurt and Heathrow before the bomb exploded over Lockerbie at 7.03pm on December 21, 1988, claiming 270 lives. 

But the defence teams have branded key witnesses as greedy liars and described others as confused. 

They say there is no direct evidence about anyone seeing both Libyans putting the bag on the plane at Malta. 

As the wait for a verdict began, Lockerbie victims' relatives praised the way the judges and legal teams had tackled their huge task. 

The Rev John Mosey, whose daughter, Helga, 19, died in the bombing, said: "Whatever the outcome, I believe it will be an honest decision and I will accept it." 

Dr Jim Swire's daughter Flora, 23, also died. He wouldn't predict the verdicts, but said: "I'm very glad I'm not a judge because on their shoulders rests the responsibility of reaching a verdict in a case of mass murder." 

Legal observer Professor John Grant said the way the trial had been conducted "reflects very highly on the Scottish justice system". 

And a Middle East journalist, who didn't want to be identified, predicted: "The men will be found not guilty." 

VERDICTS: WHAT EXPERTS THINK 

Campaigning dad JIM SWIRE 

Says Scottish justice has done itself proud throughout the trial 

JOHN GRANT 

Believes the evidence means Megrahi is in "greater peril" 

Megrahi Guilty Fhimah Not Guilty 

REV MOSEY 

Respects the judges and will accept the verdicts, no matter what 

LIBYAN TV CHIEF 

Megrahi not guilty 

Fhimah not guilty 

Listened to all 600 hours of the case and is sure the men are innocent 

GORDON McILWRAITH, IT'S DOWN TO 3 JUDGES. , Daily Record, 01-19-2001, pp 33.