Naharnet Newsdesk - Salloukh: Not a Single Lebanese Hurt in Violence-Hit Gabon

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Salloukh: Not a Single Lebanese Hurt in Violence-Hit Gabon

Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh reassured the Lebanese on Saturday that all citizens living in Gabon were doing fine as gangs went on a looting spree in new unrest after Ali Bongo, son of the country's late strongman, was declared winner of the presidential poll.
"Not a single person from the Lebanese community was physically hurt and security forces are working on calming the situation," Salloukh said.

His comment came following conflicting reports on the condition of Lebanese expatriates in Gabon.

Protesters torched the consulate of former colonial ruler France in Port-Gentil, the oil-rich country's economic hub on Friday, and attacked other French interests, including offices of oil firm Total the day before after Bongo's contested win was declared.

Vehicles owned by Lebanese were destroyed and several shops were also vandalized by demonstrators in the city.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry's Director General Haitham Jemaa also told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that "Lebanese expatriates in Gabon are doing fine."

However, Sharif Ahmed Taleb, 27, a Lebanese man who works in Gabon, told As Safir daily: "It is not true that we are ok. Our lives are in danger."

Jemaa said that around 5,000 Lebanese work in Gabon. Most of them are owners of big investment companies.

Taleb told As Safir that the Lebanese are currently hiding in their homes and Ambassador Micheline Baz told him that she was coordinating with the French army to pull them out of the city or protect them.

However, he said the French army is only working on protecting its nationals and interests.

Police said more than 50 arrests were made during the night as gangs destroyed service stations and pillaged stores despite a curfew.

On Friday, demonstrators ransacked and then burnt a police station in Port-Gentil. In the evening, marauding gangs pillaged shops on the northern fringes of the coastal city, prompting speedy police intervention.

Residents said many shots were fired as police tried to stop looters and a sports and recreation center for Total workers was set on fire.

A family member and a lawmaker said at least two people were taken to the city's morgue on Friday with bullet wounds.

Early Friday afternoon, police and gendarmes used tear gas to disperse hundreds of looters and residents, who had gathered to complain and list damages during rioting the previous evening, near Port-Gentil's city center.

Gabon Interior and Security Minister Jean-Francois Ndongou said a curfew, imposed in the city on Thursday evening, would remain in place until further notice. He also confirmed damage and pillaging in the capital.(AFP-Naharnet)

Beirut, 05 Sep 09, 10:04


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