ICC judges tell authorities to surrender the former Gaddafi intelligence chief accused of orchestrating the 1988 bombing

The international criminal court has ordered Libya to agree to the immediate surrender of Abdullah al-Senussi, the former Gaddafi intelligence chief accused of orchestrating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

The Hague-based court has also asked the Libyan authorities to allow Senussi's British lawyer, Ben Emmerson QC, to visit him in a Tripoli prison so that he can prepare his defence.

The ICC insists Senussi, once described as the "world's most wanted man", should not be tried in Libya where it is feared he is likely to face summary execution.

In a decision by three judges, the ICC ordered the Libyan authorities "to proceed to the immediate surrender of Mr Al-Senussi to the court" and "refrain from taking any action which would frustrate, hinder or delay Libya's compliance with its obligation …"

Emmerson, who was appointed last month to represent Senussi, said: "The ICC has finally run out patience with Libya's chaotic and disingenuous attempts to avoid complying with its international legal obligations. The ICC has ordered an immediate halt to Libya's unseemly rush to drag Mr al-Senussi to the gallows before the law has taken its course.

"Libya's rebel authorities need to understand that the days of show trials and summary executions are over.

"The time has now come for Britain and the US to make good on their promises to put pressure on Libya to obey the orders of the ICC. The tempting prospect of lucrative oil deals must never be allowed to deflect the British and US Governments from their unswerving commitment to the international rule of law."

The issue is likely to arise at conference next week in Paris on future support for Libya involving the United States, the UK, France, Turkey, Qatar and the UAE.

Senussi's lengthy service as spy chief means he may be in possession of crucial information relating not only to the Lockerbie bombing but also to the 1984 shooting of police officer Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in London, as well as arms shipments to the IRA.