LIBREVILLE (Reuters) — Security forces clashed with gangs of protesters in Gabon’s oil hub Port Gentil overnight in a third day of unrest since a disputed election brought the son of the late leader Omar Bongo to power, a resident said.

However the level of violence was lower than in previous nights since the victory of Ali Ben Bongo in last Sunday’s poll triggered widespread looting and attacks on the interests of ex-colonial power France.

Guyroger Regoula told Reuters by telephone there had been sporadic clashes.

“During the night it was groups of five to six people. Security forces would disperse them and they would melt away,’’ Regoula said.

Shops were stripped of food and other provisions during the violence after the election result was announced on Thursday, Port Gentil resident Joel Adande said.

‘’What are they going to loot? They have looted everything already,’’ he told Reuters by telephone.

Ben Bongo has appealed for an end to the unrest and his ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) has dropped hints that it would be prepared to work in government with rivals.

Opponents have not reacted publicly to the overtures but ex-prime minister and rival presidential candidate Casimir Oye Mba called on Sunday for political dialogue to ‘’find a rapid and beneficial solution’’ to ease the unrest.

The capital Libreville has been relatively quiet but authorities were caught off guard in Port Gentil, where the French consulate and a sports and social club owned by French oil giant Total were torched.

The city remained under curfew on Sunday. French paratroopers were guarding the consulate and Total has evacuated its expatriate staff and families to Libreville.

France had strong ties with Omar Bongo and is perceived by some Gabonese opposition supporters to have helped his son rig the election, something both Ben Bongo and Paris have denied.

“We are a country based on the rule of law and there are institutions which are there (to appeal the result),’’ Ben Bongo told French radio RFI.

‘’It is imperative that calm returns across the territory.’’

Leading opposition figures have said they will mount a legal challenge to the victory of Ben Bongo, who won 41.7 percent of the vote, according to the official tally.

His two closest rivals — former interior minister Andre Mba Obame and veteran opposition leader Pierre Mamboundou — won just over 25 percent each.
Omar Bongo ruled the Central African oil exporter for 41 years until his death in June.