Gabon launches probe into burning of Benin's Embassy

Gabon's Interior Minister Guy Bertrand Mapangou said Monday that an inquiry had been launched to identify the people responsible for burning Benin's Embassy in Libreville.

"An investigation has been launched," Mapangou said after holding a meeting at the residence of Benin's ambassador to Gabon.

"At the moment, I have nothing to tell you regarding the reasons for this attack. We will have to await the outcome of the investigations," the minister said when asked why Benin's Embassy had been targeted by protesters.

Benin's diplomatic mission in Gabon was razed down on Sunday evening by suspected opposition supporters who started rioting after the announcement of the death of opposition leader Andre Mba Obame, who died in Cameroon after a long illness.

Obame had initially claimed that he had been a victim of a mystic attack by a voodoo preacher via close aides of Gabon's president, but the Gabonese presidency has termed the allegations as baseless.

Voodoo is recognized as Benin's official religion, followed by over 40 percent of the population.

The claim by the late opposition leader could explain the attack on Benin's Embassy in Libreville. The situation has been brought under control after the gendarmerie deployed officers on major streets of the capital. Endi