Coup d'état in Gabon, a West African nation (2.2 million inhabitants) which borders Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo.
President Ali Bongo, who had just been re-elected, was placed under house arrest and one of his sons was also arrested.
On the other hand, the local media showed images with General Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the Republican Guard and the deposed president's "praetorians", carried in triumph by hundreds of soldiers, shouting "Oligui president".
The coup, which canceled the result of the last elections, was condemned by the international community, starting with France, and Russia too said it was "deeply concerned" about what is happening in the country.
The electoral commission had announced Bongo's re-election with 64% of the vote, but the opposition described the election as "rigged".
Overthrowing the president would end his family's power in Gabon, which has lasted for more than half a century.
There are about 150 Italians in the country, but the Farnesina explained that at the moment "they are all safe".
(Unioneonline/lf)
