General Brice Oligui Nguema,  commander of Gabon’s Republican Guard (Photo: Business NG)

The decision was made after a special meeting of the coup’s leaders.

The announcement ceremony was attended by many Gabonese military generals, who appeared with General Nguema on Gabon television on Wednesday morning to declare the suspension of the Constitution and the annulment of the Presidential election results with the victory to President Ali Bongo.

Also on Wednesday, Gabonese President Ali Bongo confirmed that he was under house arrest with his relatives in the mansion and called on countries and friends to immediately intervene.

Some sources said, in addition to President Bongo and his family, a few ministers in the Gabon government were also arrested by the coup, but the number is unknown.

Olivier Veran, a spokesman for the French Government, said that France condemns the coup and expresses its hope the election’s results will be respected.

Russia issued a statement expressing concern about the situation in Gabon and hoped that the situation would stabilize soon.

African Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat said the AU views the coup as a flagrant violation of its principles and foundations. He also called on the Gabonese armed forces to protect the lives of President Bongo and members of the Government and respect the democratic process.

Earlier a number of senior Gabon military officers announced they had assumed control of the country and dissolved the government, the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Constitutional Court.

The move comes after the state election agency announced President Bongo, 64, had been elected to a third term. The politician has led Gabon for 14 years.