Gabon presidential guard 'bombed Jean Ping's party HQ'

Soldiers detained people near the opposition headquarters

Gabon's opposition leader Jean Ping has told the BBC a presidential guard helicopter bombed his headquarters and killed two people.

A government spokesman said the operation was to root out "criminals" who had set fire to parliament. Protestors took to the streets on Wednesday claiming fraud after it was announced that President Ali Bongo had been narrowly re-elected.


Some 1,000 people have been arrested, officials say.In a national address, Mr Bongo said "democracy does not sit well with an attack on parliament".

Protests and gunfire have continued in the capital Libreville on Thursday.