New clashes rock Gabon city

French oil giant Total pulled its foreign staff out of Gabon's second city yesterday as security forces clashed anew with protesters opposed to the election of Ali Bongo as president.

At least two people have been shot dead in three days of unrest since the results were announced. One opposition party has called for "resistance" to the declaration of the son of the late veteran ruler Omar Bongo as new president.

Security forces battled looters through the night in Port-Gentil where a curfew has been ordered after a police station and the offices of French companies have been attacked.

Residents said they heard shots throughout the night.

Public buildings and a sports and social club run by Total were destroyed in new attacks. On Friday, stores and petrol stations in the West African country's oil capital were attacked and set ablaze.

Demonstrators ransacked a police station and then freed detainees from the cells before torching it.