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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.

Army officers appeared on TV in the early hours of Wednesday to say they had taken 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.

Camille Epembia is an entrepreneur and independent politician in Gabon. He was formerly part of a movement called Pourquoi pas nous - which translates as Why not us? He told Newsday that he is happy and celebrating the end of the regime. He said since he's been born ''the Bongo family ruled the country but they haven't been looking after the country."

(Photo shows: Gabon President Ali Bongo makes a statement through a video message, after the Gabon military had seized power Credit: Reuters)

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