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| Leaders in Gabon at Bongo funeral | Leaders in Gabon at Bongo funeral |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The state funeral of President Omar Bongo is taking place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. | The state funeral of President Omar Bongo is taking place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who joined more than a dozen African leaders, was jeered by onlookers as he arrived to pay his respects. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who joined more than a dozen African leaders, was jeered by onlookers as he arrived to pay his respects. |
| 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 will be buried in Franceville, his hometown in the south-east on Thursday. | He will be buried in Franceville, his hometown in the south-east on Thursday. |
| When Mr Sarkozy arrived at the presidential palace in Libreville some people applauded but boos from the crowd soon took over, AFP news agency reports. | |
| According to the news agency, dozens of onlookers jeered at the French president, shouting things like: "We don't want you - leave." | According to the news agency, dozens of onlookers jeered at the French president, shouting things like: "We don't want you - leave." |
| Embezzlement inquiry | Embezzlement inquiry |
| Under Mr Bongo, oil-rich Gabon kept close economic and political ties to France. | Under Mr Bongo, oil-rich Gabon kept close economic and political ties to France. |
| The former colonial power has around 1,000 troops stationed in Libreville, where French energy firm Total is an investor. | The former colonial power has around 1,000 troops stationed in Libreville, where French energy firm Total is an investor. |
| 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 Having a laugh with Omar Bongo Gabon teacher not mourning Bongo | 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 Having a laugh with Omar Bongo Gabon teacher not mourning Bongo |
| Mr Sarkozy was joined in the capital by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and former French President Jacques Chirac. | Mr Sarkozy was joined in the capital by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and former French President Jacques Chirac. |
| In his last months, Mr Bongo's relations with Paris were overshadowed by a French investigation into allegations of embezzlement. | In his last months, Mr Bongo's relations with Paris were overshadowed by a French investigation into allegations of embezzlement. |
| Two other African leaders who are the focus of the same inquiry, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, were due to attend Tuesday's funeral in Libreville. | Two other African leaders who are the focus of the same inquiry, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, were due to attend Tuesday's funeral in Libreville. |
| The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo are also expected. | The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo are also expected. |
| Foreign dignitaries passed in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday. | Foreign dignitaries passed in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday. |
| Thousands of Gabonese have been been lining up at the palace over last few days to pay their respects. | Thousands of Gabonese have been been lining up at the palace over last few days to pay their respects. |
| After a prayer service the coffin will be moved outside for a two-hour military parade in the ocean-side capital's Independence Square. | After a prayer service the coffin will be moved outside for a two-hour military parade in the ocean-side capital's Independence Square. |
| Ali-Ben Bongo (centre) may address mourners | Ali-Ben Bongo (centre) may address mourners |
| "It is very emotional. It is a farewell ceremony so I am sad," Libreville resident Daniel Mba told Reuters news agency. | "It is very emotional. It is a farewell ceremony so I am sad," Libreville resident Daniel Mba told Reuters news agency. |
| Correspondents say the late president's 50-year-old son Ali-Ben Bongo, who is Gabon's defence minister and a favourite to succeed his father, may address the funeral. | Correspondents say the late president's 50-year-old son Ali-Ben Bongo, who is Gabon's defence minister and a favourite to succeed his father, may address the funeral. |
| Also present for the ceremony is African Union Commission President Jean Ping, a Gabonese who some analysts have speculated could be a contender in the forthcoming presidential election. | Also present for the ceremony is African Union Commission President Jean Ping, a Gabonese who some analysts have speculated could be a contender in the forthcoming presidential election. |
| Rose Francine Rogombe took over as interim head of state last week and has 45 days to organise polls in the West African nation. | Rose Francine Rogombe took over as interim head of state last week and has 45 days to organise polls 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. |