Former president of gabon

Omar Bongo embodied the close ties between France and its former colonies

Gabon's government has denied French media reports that President Omar Bongo is dead.

Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong said year-old Mr Bongo, who reportedly has cancer, was "alive and well".

Gabon president biography president trump Fire chief shot and killed after stopping to help driver who hit deer with their car. Gabonese Democratic Party. Presidential standard. Alternance

The government in Spain - where Africa's longest-serving leader was being treated in a clinic - has also insisted he is alive.

Mr Bongo has led Gabon since , but stopped work in May. He faces a French inquiry into corruption allegations.

The BBC's Linel Kwatsi in the capital Libreville says the city appears calm and as normal - however some people have been stockpiling food in case shops close if the president's death is confirmed.

The government of the oil-rich nation has asked people not to panic.

Gabon president biography president The election of the president of the republic takes place at least a month and at most two months before the end of the previous president's term. A current president may not shorten his or her term in any manner to run for another term. The military currently rules the West African country following a coup in August In cases of necessity, Parliament may convene in an extraordinary session.

'Holiday'

The death of the Gabonese veteran leader was reported by AFP, which quoted a French government source, and also by the website of French magazine Le Point, quoting a source close to Mr Bongo's entourage.

Gabon's government has maintained close economic and political ties to France, its former colonial power, since independence.

OMAR BONGO Led Gabon for 42 years Kept close economic and political ties with France Oil money means Gabon officially one of richest countries in Africa Reported to have cancer His son is defence minister His daughter is his chief of staff He denies corruption charges in French courts Introduced multi-party elections in - opposition complains they are not fair

A statement from the Gabonese presidency said:

"The presidency of the Gabonese Republic would like to stress that the President of the Republic, the Head of State, His Excellency Omar Bongo is not dead.

He is continuing his holiday in Spain following his check-up at the Quiron Clinic in Barcelona."

"The family has been visiting him this morning," Mr Ndong told reporters on Monday.

The premier, speaking at the clinic where Mr Bongo is being treated, reportedly for cancer, criticised media reports of the veteran leader's death.

Earlier, the prime minister had responded to the reports by telling Gabonese TV: "If such a situation comes about, I would think that the president's family would naturally get in touch with me."

The Spanish foreign affairs ministry backed Mr Ndong's assertion, saying: "We have confirmed that he [President Bongo] is alive.

We have no further information about him."

But later on Monday, reports in the Spanish media said Mr Bongo had died shortly after Mr Ndong's news conference. They quoted members of Mr Bongo's entourage as saying the African leader had died at GMT.

The clinic and the Spanish government refused to comment on the latest reports.

Gabon president biography president and wife Article 11 of the Constitution of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who led the coup that overthrew former president Ali Bongo Ondimba, to run for his first presidential term. People's Social Emancipation Movement. Related articles.

Mr Bongo became vice-president in , taking over as head of state later that year after the death of Gabon's first post-independence President, Leon Mba.

Oil earnings mean that Gabon, with a population of just million, is officially one of Africa's richest states but analysts say that the political elite keep most of the money for themselves.

Mr Bongo is one of three African leaders being investigated for alleged embezzlement by a French judge - the others are Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.

It is alleged that the properties owned by Mr Bongo's family in France could not have been purchased with official salaries alone.

Mr Bongo denied any wrongdoing.

Gabon president biography president biden This limit was lifted for Omar Bongo in All Gabonese citizens, male and female, who are at least forty 40 years old, have resided in Gabon for at least twelve 12 months, and who enjoy their full civil and political rights are eligible to run for the seat of the presidency. The election is won by the candidate who obtains the largest number of votes. Provinces Departments Cantons and communes.

Analyst say he has built a powerful dynasty during his years in office.

Opposition leaders have claimed his son, Ali-Ben Bongo, currently defence minister, is being manoeuvred to take over.

Born Albert Bernard Bongo, he converted to Islam in and changed his name to El Hadj Omar Bongo.

His wife, Edith Lucie Bongo, President Sassou-Nguesso's daughter, died in March