The Lockerbie bomber formally dropped his appeal against conviction for the 1988 atrocity on Tuesday, in a court hearing which comes amid reports he could be freed within days. Speaking at Edinburgh's High Court, lawyers for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi -- who is dying of cancer -- said he was 'very weak, he is suffering from severe pain and he is in distress. 'His absolute priority is to die surrounded by his family,' said lawyer Maggie Scott. 