Pipers in kilts formed the centrepiece of Muammar Gaddafi's 40th anniversary celebrations because the Libyan dictator wanted to "honour" Scotland for freeing the Lockerbie bomber.

The band played traditional Highland music before images of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi were broadcast on screens in the capital Tripoli.

"Colonel Gaddafi wanted to show the world his support for Scotland," said an organiser of the event, which was broadcast around the world, adding: "The freeing of al-Megrahi was a highlight of the Colonel's time in office and he wanted to honour Scotland for it."

It increased accusations that Colonel Gaddafi was revelling in the diplomatic coup which led to Megrahi's release.

Megrahi was today said to be "honoured and proud" to have played a starring role in the celebrations, which he watched from his hospital bed.

A spokesman for the private hospital said: "Megrahi knows that the Libyan people are convinced of his innocence of any crime, and the screening of the images highlighted this fact."

The 60-strong band was made up of different groups from Christchurch and surrounding areas of New Zealand.

It was flown to north Africa at an estimated cost of more than £200,000 to Colonel Gaddafi.

New Zealand prime minister John Key expressed surprise saying: "Interesting choice of gig." Chants of "brother al-Megrahi" echoed through Tripoli in the early hours of today.

Hundreds of dancers and musicians took part in the show charting 12,000 years of Libya's history, mainly focusing on the last 40 since Colonel Gaddafi took power after a coup against the royal family.

Mock hangings, depicting Italian soldiers executing Libyans during their occupation of the country from 1911 until the end of the Second World War, were a focal point.

Thousands of Libyans were slaughtered during this period.

Western states boycotted the event since the row over the bomber release including Britain's ambassador to Libya, Sir Vincent Fean and Prince Andrew.

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