Libreville — Military and civilian parades, cultural shows in suburbs and decorations of Gabonese figures top the programme of Gabon's independence celebrations, being witnessed by Angolan Parliament first deputy speaker, João Lourenço, on behalf of the head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.

The parade celebrating the 47th anniversary of that country's independence, is to last four hours and will involve local defence and security forces and part of Cameroon's effectives serving in the country on request from Gabonese head of State, Omar Bongo.

The presence of Angola in Libreville for the celebrations is intended to reaffirm the "ties of friendship", cooperation and good neighbourhood between the two countries, as stated in the message of president José Eduardo dos Santos to his local counterpart, transmitted by Joao Lourenço.

Gabon won independence on August 17, 1960. It is situated on the Atlantic coast and borders on Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville and São Tomé and Príncipe.