Army officers who seized power in a coup in Gabon on Wednesday have named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the West African state's transitional leader.
Gen Nguema was earlier carried triumphally through the streets of the capital Libreville by his troops.
The deposed President, Ali Bongo, has appeared in a video at his home, calling on his"friends all over the world" to"make noise" on his behalf.Mr Bongo's overthrow ended his family's 55-year hold on power.They said they had annulled the results of Saturday's election in which Mr Bongo was declared the winner but which the opposition said was fraudulent.
The US state department urged Gabon's military to"preserve civilian rule" and urged"those responsible to release and ensure the safety of members of government". The UK condemned the"unconstitutional military takeover" of power. There has long been simmering resentment of the Bongo family - it ruled Gabon for 55 years - and there has been public discontent over broader issues such as the cost of living.
"At first I was scared, but then I felt joy," a resident of Libreville, who requested anonymity, told the BBC."I was scared because of the realisation that I am living through a coup, but the joy is because we've been waiting for so long for this regime to be overthrown."
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