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Gabon ready for funeral of Bongo Gabon ready for funeral of Bongo
(30 minutes later)
The state funeral of President Omar Bongo is to take place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon.The state funeral of President Omar Bongo is to take place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy and at least a dozen heads of African states are taking part.French President Nicholas Sarkozy and at least a dozen heads of African states are taking part.
Mr Bongo, who ruled Gabon for more than four decades, was Africa's longest-serving leader. He died after a long illness in a Spanish clinic last week.Mr Bongo, who ruled Gabon for more than four decades, was Africa's longest-serving leader. He died after a long illness in a Spanish clinic last week.
He is due to be buried in his hometown, Franceville, in the south-east of the country on Thursday.He is due to be buried in his hometown, Franceville, in the south-east of the country on Thursday.
The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo are among those expected to attend Tuesday's ceremony.The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo are among those expected to attend Tuesday's ceremony.
Foreign dignitaries are to pass in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday. Foreign dignitaries will pass in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday.
The coffin is then due to be moved outside for a two-hour military procession. Ali-Ben Bongo (left) is expected to address the mourners
Thousands of Gabonese have been been lining up at the palace over last few days to pay their respects.
The coffin is then due to be moved outside for a two-hour military procession after a prayer service.
Correspondents say it is likely the late president's 50-year-old son Ali-Ben Bongo, who is Gabon's defence minister and a favourite to succeed his father, will address the funeral.Correspondents say it is likely the late president's 50-year-old son Ali-Ben Bongo, who is Gabon's defence minister and a favourite to succeed his father, will address the funeral.
Elections are due to be held in the West African nation within 45 days. Rose Francine Rogombe took over as interim head of state last week and has 45 days to organise elections in the West African nation.
It emerged last month Mr Bongo was being treated in a Barcelona clinic, amid unconfirmed reports he had cancer.It emerged last month Mr Bongo was being treated in a Barcelona clinic, amid unconfirmed reports he had cancer.
The government said on Monday of last week that the 73-year-old had died of a heart attack.The government said on Monday of last week that the 73-year-old had died of a heart attack.