Gabon's opposition leader said security forces killed two people and wounded 19 at his headquarters on Thursday, as violence erupted after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of disputed polls.
Thousands of angry protesters poured onto the streets of Libreville late Wednesday, accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.
Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces.
By mid-morning Thursday, security forces had sealed off the city centre, which was calm and otherwise deserted, and were making arrests around the opposition headquarters, AFP journalists said.
It was not immediately clear where Ping -- a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official who had earlier declared himself the poll winner -- had taken refuge.
Scenes of pillaging were reported from outlying districts and telephone and internet communications were cut.
The parliament building's facade was blackened by fire and its windows were smashed. Protesters had torn down its huge main gate and torched a sentry box at the entrance.
On the city's main artery, the Boulevard Triomphal -- the location of numerous government institutions and foreign embassies -- burnt-out buildings and cars could be seen, while makeshift barricades were still smouldering.
Security forces had surrounded the opposition headquarters overnight and stormed the building, killing two and injuring more than a dozen there, Ping told AFP.
"They attacked around 1:00 am. It is the Republican Guard. They were bombarding with helicopters and then they attacked on the ground. There are 19 people injured, some of them very seriously," said Ping, who was not himself at the party headquarters.
Vote 'lacks transparency'
The president of the opposition National Union party, Zacharie Myboto, who was inside the besieged building, said security forces were hurling tear gas canisters and had opened fire.
"For nearly an hour the building has been surrounded. They want to enter the building... it is extremely violent," he said shortly after the siege began.
The results of the presidential election, announced earlier on Wednesday, handed Bongo a second term and extended his family's nearly five-decade-long rule.
However, the results -- which gave Bongo 49.8% to Ping's 48.23% (a gap of less than 6,000 votes) -- remain "provisional" until approved by the constitutional court.
The opposition described the election as fraudulent and called for results from each of Gabon's polling stations to be made public to ensure the credibility of the overall outcome -- a demand echoed by the United States and European Union.
"This will help give the people of Gabon -- as well as the international community -- confidence the announced vote tallies are accurate," said US State Department spokesman John Kirby.
Ping told France's Europe 1 radio early Thursday: "Everyone knows that he (Bongo) cheated. Ask in Europe. Everyone knows."
EU observers said the vote was "managed in a way that lacked transparency" and opposition delegates in the electoral commission have already vowed to fight for a recount.