The spokesman for Gabon's main opposition party has denied any knowledge of a link to the five soldiers who attempted a coup earlier today, according to Radio France Internationale.

Claye Martial Obame Akué is quoted as saying that he wasn't aware of any link between the soldiers and Jean Ping - the leader of the La Coalition pour la Nouvelle République (The Coalition for the New Republic).

He said that no soldiers were close to Mr Ping.

He did, however, add that President Ali Bongo should leave power, as he asserted that Jean Ping won the 2016 election.