Morocco's royal palace has issued a picture of King Mohammed VI visiting Gabon's President Ali Bongo at hospital in Rabat where the Gabonese leader is recovering from an undisclosed illness.

Some reports say President Bongo had suffered a stroke, but that has not been confirmed.

The publication of the photo comes after persistent rumours over the health of the Gabonese president for more than a month.

Mr Bongo was flown to Morocco on Thursday from Saudi Arabia where he had been in hospital since 24 October after falling ill at an economic forum.

After an extended period of silence, the Gabonese presidency eventually admitted last month that Bongo was "seriously ill".