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Juniors officers say they have seized power in oil-rich Gabon, where the ailing leader\u2019s family has ruled for 50 years.<\/p>\n
Soldiers in the west African country say they launched a coup \u201cto restore democracy\u201d.<\/p>\n
They took control of the national radio station at 04:30 local time (03:30 GMT) to read a short statement announcing a \u201cNational Restoration Council\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tanks and armed vehicles can be seen on the streets of the capital Libreville.<\/p>\n
Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.<\/p>\n
Mr Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months, reportedly suffered a stroke in October and received treatment in Morocco.<\/p>\n
He sought to put an end to the rumours about his health with a televised New Year message in which he said he was feeling fine.<\/p>\n
Soldiers said they had been disappointed by the message, calling it \u201ca pitiful sight\u201d and a \u201crelentless attempt to cling onto power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt reinforced doubts about his ability to assume the responsibilities of his role as President of the Republic\u201d, said Lt Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the so-called Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.<\/p>\n
He specifically appealed to young people to \u201ctake charge of their destiny\u201d.<\/p>\n
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