A government spokesman who confirmed the bombing to BBC said that it was done to fish out the protesters who set fire to the parliament.
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Jean Ping, the main opposition candidate, said that government troops killed two people and wounded at least 19 during a pre-dawn raid on his headquarters.
French President Francois Hollande called for “restraint and calm on all sides” as internet communications remained dark across the country and security forces sealed off the downtown area of Libreville. “They were bombarding with helicopters…” And then you will see that the margin is so big that he can not win.
Riots raged in at least nine Libreville neighbourhoods on Thursday morning, two witnesses and a police source said.
It was not immediately clear where Mr Ping – a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official who had earlier declared himself the poll victor – had taken refuge.
On Thursday, police used tear gas to prevent crowds gathering outside parliament and continued to detain people coming out of the building.
“Democracy doesn’t sit well with an attack on parliament”, Bongo said Thursday.
Security forces later surrounded the building, detaining more than a dozen members of the National Union opposition party inside, said party spokeswoman Sandrine Akere. “The credibility of the election as well as Gabon’s global reputation are at stake”, it said. “They (the global community) should come and help us against the clan (of Bongo)”, Ping told AFP.
Supporters of Jean Ping demonstrate in front of security forces after incumbent Ali Bongo claimed election victory.
Before the interior ministry’s announcement, the European Union, which monitored the election, renewed a call for Gabon to publish “detailed results” for every polling station, urging all actors to help keep peace.
“The only solution is that Bongo recognises defeat, because he was beaten”, Ping told France’s BFM TV. “Ask in Europe. Everyone knows”. Elections in Africa are frequently disputed but it is unusual for results to be overturned.
“We have evidence showing that the population of Haut-Ogooué was changed on Wikipedia five or six times, with President Bongo winning (the region) with over 99% of votes, meaning the whole population is over 18-years-old, which is absolutely ridiculous”, Kumb Kumb said.
“It’s going to be hard to get people to accept these results”, one member of the electoral commission said, asking not to be named.
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Gabon erupted in violence and fire Wednesday after the national elections commission declared President Ali Bongo the victor and ensured continuation of the family dynasty that has ruled the oil-rich country for a 50 years.
