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Bongo's body to be flown to Gabon Bongo's body to be flown to Gabon
(about 1 hour later)
The body of the late Gabonese President Omar Bongo is due to arrive back in the West African state.The body of the late Gabonese President Omar Bongo is due to arrive back in the West African state.
The death of Africa's longest-serving leader, who was being treated for an unconfirmed illness at a clinic in Spain, was announced on Monday.The death of Africa's longest-serving leader, who was being treated for an unconfirmed illness at a clinic in Spain, was announced on Monday.
His body will lie in state at the presidential palace in the capital Libreville before his burial next week.His body will lie in state at the presidential palace in the capital Libreville before his burial next week.
The senate's speaker was sworn in on Wednesday as interim head of state. Elections must be held within 45 days.The senate's speaker was sworn in on Wednesday as interim head of state. Elections must be held within 45 days.
Mr Bongo, who was in power for nearly 42 years, will be buried at Franceville in the Bateke region of his birth in south-east Gabon on Thursday of next week.Mr Bongo, who was in power for nearly 42 years, will be buried at Franceville in the Bateke region of his birth in south-east Gabon on Thursday of next week.
Gabonese journalist Linel Kwatsi says there has been relief in the country that the mechanisms of democracy appear to be working and that fears of a coup have proved unfounded.
The late leader's son, Defence Minister Ali-Ben Bongo, is tipped to replace himThe late leader's son, Defence Minister Ali-Ben Bongo, is tipped to replace him
He adds the people only hope it will last and that interim leader, Rose Francine Rogombe, an ally of Mr Bongo, will organise fair presidential polls. Gabonese journalist Linel Kwatsi says the anxiety that overshadowed the country as news of the president's death emerged is vanishing.
There is relief that the mechanisms of democracy appear to be working and that fears of a coup have proved unfounded, he adds.
The hope now is that interim leader, Rose Francine Rogombe, an ally of Mr Bongo, will organise fair presidential polls.
The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) has been deciding who should succeed the late president, with his 50-year-old son, Defence Minister Ali-Ben Bongo, tipped as a leading contender.The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) has been deciding who should succeed the late president, with his 50-year-old son, Defence Minister Ali-Ben Bongo, tipped as a leading contender.
It emerged in May that the 73-year-old president was being treated in a Barcelona clinic, amid unconfirmed reports he had cancer. OMAR BONGO Led Gabon for nearly 42 yearsOil money means Gabon officially one of richest countries in AfricaHe denied corruption charges in French courtsAllowed multi-party polls in 1993; opposition said they weren't fair class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8091373.stm">Having a laugh with Omar Bongo class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8091006.stm">Gabon teacher not mourning Bongo
The government said on Monday he had died of a heart attack, hours after saying he was alive and well. Ms Rogombe, 66, a lawyer and ruling party member dubbed "the iron lady", is constitutionally ineligible from standing in the presidential poll.
Likely opposition candidate Pierre Mamboundou - leader of the Union of the Gabonese People - has called on citizens to back Ms Rogombe while she organises polls to help "guarantee transparency during the vote".
It emerged last month that Mr Bongo was being treated in a Barcelona clinic, amid unconfirmed reports he had cancer.
The government said on Monday the 73-year-old had died of a heart attack, hours after saying he was alive and well.
Libreville's mayor has banned large gatherings and ordered nightclubs and bars to close, while security forces have been on patrol.Libreville's mayor has banned large gatherings and ordered nightclubs and bars to close, while security forces have been on patrol.