Gabon apologizes, condemns burning of Beninese Embassy

Gabon's government has apologized to Benin's government and strongly condemned Sunday's destruction of the latter's embassy in Libreville, diplomatic sources in Cotonou said Tuesday.

The Beninese Embassy in Libreville was burnt down by protesters following the announcement of the death of Gabon's opposition leader Andre Mba Obame.

"Gabon's government wishes to express its support to Benin's Embassy in Libreville and would wish to assure Beninese authorities that these acts will not be repeated," a letter from Gabonese government to Beninese authorities indicated.

According to the letter, Gabon's government promised that an investigation had been launched to identify those responsible for the attack so that they can be charged before competent authorities.

With regards to Beninese nationals living in Gabon, the letter noted that Beninese community in Gabon had totally integrated and was living in perfect harmony with Gabonese nationals.

"Gabon's government, in its desire to maintain peace and security across the national territory, calls on Beninese nationals living in Gabon to remain calm and support all measures taken to safeguard their physical integrity and safety of their properties," the same source said.

Following the announcement of Obame's death in Yaounde, Cameroon, after a long illness, his supporters descended on the Libreville streets and started protesting. Some of them set Beninese Embassy on fire. Endi