The Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing is in deteriorating health and "absolutely desperate" to see his family, an MSP has said.

Christine Grahame, who met Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi (pictured) in Greenock Prison on Friday, refused to say if he intends to abandon his appeal which is now underway in Edinburgh.

Libyan authorities have applied for Megrahi to be moved to Libya under a prisoner transfer treaty between that country and the UK.

But no decision on this can be made by Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill if there are outstanding legal proceedings.

Ms Grahame, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, paid an hour-long visit to Megrahi in Greenock, where he is serving a life sentence for the 1988 bombing which killed 270 people.

She said: "I found it quite upsetting. The man is obviously very ill and he is desperate to see his family - absolutely desperate to see his family - so, whatever it takes, that's the priority."

She went on: "I am absolutely more convinced than ever that there has been a miscarriage of justice."

Asked if Megrahi plans to press on with his appeal, she said: "I can't say that - that is for him to say through his lawyers."

Megrahi was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.