Gabon condemns Ping, warns French officials against 'interference'

The Gabon government on Tuesday accused President Ali Bongo's challenger, Jean Ping, of trying to destabilise the country, and warned French ruling party officials against "interference" in its affairs.

With both sides trading accusations after a bitter election campaign, there was concern the results, when they came, would trigger unrest. People stockpiled food, police manned major crossroads and soldiers deployed at petrol stations and banks.