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Body of Gabon's Late President Returns Home


The body of Gabon's late President Omar Bongo has arrived in the capital city of Libreville, where it will lie in state at the presidential palace.

Mr. Bongo's remains were flown to Gabon Thursday from Barcelona, Spain, where he died on Monday.

Spanish and Gabonese dignitaries took part in a small farewell ceremony at the Barcelona airport before Spanish soldiers carried the flag-draped coffin onto a military aircraft.

Mr. Bongo spent his final weeks at a Barcelona clinic before dying at age 73.

He is scheduled to be buried June 18 in the eastern Gabonese town of Franceville.

On Wednesday, the former Gabonese Senate leader Rose Francine Rogombe was sworn in as interim president.

She vowed to uphold the nation's laws and constitution, which requires her to organize presidential elections within 45 days.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.



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