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French FM says working with partners to find rapid solution to Gabon crisis

Xinhua, September 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

France was working with partners to find a rapid solution to end the crisis in Gabon where disputed vote results prompted violent clashes, French Foreign Ministry Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Friday.

"The French authorities are in contact with all parties, including our African and international partners, to find a quick solution to this crisis," the French top diplomat said.

Ayrault asked the Gabonese authorities "to immediately" release opposition members who are surrounded by police at the headquarters of their leader Jean Ping.

"This gesture would help restore calm," he added.

In an interview with France 2 TV channel earlier on Friday, Ayrault called for more transparency and the release of individual polling station results of the presidential election.

Violence erupted in the African country after opposition contested the result of election which gave new seven-year mandate to President Ali Bongo.

Bongo took office in 2009 on the death of his father. Endit