UN chief hails president-elect for national dialogue in Gabon

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday welcomed the call by Gabon's president-elect, Ali Bongo Ondimba, for national dialogue in central African country.

"Such a dialogue must be representative of all stakeholders towards national reconciliation, inclusive governance, and the adoption of consensual measures for peaceful and credible legislative elections in December 2016," the secretary-general said in a statement issued here by his spokesman.

Gabon's opposition leader Jean Ping has rejected a ruling by the Constitutional Court that upheld the victory of President Ali Bongo in August's presidential election, which was mired by claims of voter fraud.

Tension has been high as protesters took to the streets of Gabonese capital Libreville soon after poll results showed that the incumbent president, Ali Bongo, narrowly won re-election in a vote the opposition said was stolen.

The protesters attacked the parliament building and clashed with police, leaving 1,000 arrested, local media reported.

The secretary-general took note of the ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Gabonese Republic on the appeals lodged against the preliminary results of the Aug. 27 presidential election, as well as its confirmation of Ali Bongo as the president-elect, the statement said.

"At this critical and sensitive juncture in the country's history, it is of utmost importance that all actors demonstrate maximum restraint and fully respect human rights and fundamental freedoms," the statement said.

"The secretary-general calls for the release of any persons detained arbitrarily during the electoral process," said the statement.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting the democratic process and sustainable development in Gabon and will continue to work closely with national, regional and international partners in this regard, the statement added. Enditem