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Leaders in Gabon at Bongo funeral Leaders in Gabon at Bongo funeral
(31 minutes later)
The state funeral of President Omar Bongo is taking place in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. African heads of state and France's president have laid wreaths at the coffin of President Omar Bongo, for his funeral in Gabon's capital.
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 was jeered by onlookers as he arrived at the presidential palace in Libreville.
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. Under Mr Bongo, oil-rich Gabon kept close ties to France, but he became the subject of a corruption inquiry in May.
He will be buried in Franceville, his hometown in the south-east on Thursday. Mr Bongo, who ruled Gabon for more than four decades, died after a long illness in a Spanish clinic last week.
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. Africa's longest-serving leader, he will be buried in Franceville, his hometown in the south-east on Thursday.
According to the news agency, dozens of onlookers jeered at the French president, shouting things like: "We don't want you - leave." 'No to France'
Embezzlement inquiry Mr Sarkozy was booed by the crowd when he emerged from a stretch limousine outside the presidential palace in the ocean-side capital.
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.
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 BongoOMAR 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. The French president's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was also met by jeers, according to AP news agency.
In his last months, Mr Bongo's relations with Paris were overshadowed by a French investigation into allegations of embezzlement. Dozens of onlookers shouted: "We don't want you - leave" and "No to France".
But the two men were reportedly applauded inside the palace as they laid wreaths at the foot of Mr Bongo's coffin, which was draped in Gabon's national flag.
The former colonial power has close economic and political links to Gabon, with around 1,000 troops stationed in Libreville, where French energy firm Total is an investor.
In his last months, Mr Bongo's relations with Paris were soured 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. Gabonese reporter Linel Kwatsi, in the capital, told the BBC there had been anger among Mr Bongo's supporters in Gabon at the time over the Paris corruption inquiry and French media coverage.
Foreign dignitaries passed in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday. The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo were also expected at the funeral.
Thousands of Gabonese have been been lining up at the palace over last few days to pay their respects. 'Very emotional'
After a prayer service the coffin will be moved outside for a two-hour military parade in the ocean-side capital's Independence Square. Foreign dignitaries passed in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it was taken last Thursday to lie in state.
Ali-Ben Bongo (centre) may address mournersAli-Ben Bongo (centre) may address mourners
Thousands of Gabonese lined 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 capital's Independence Square.
"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.