Gabonese president's powers temporarily handed to VP

By Alaattin Dogru

DAKAR, Senegal

Gabonese President Ali Bongo's powers were temporarily handed over to Gabon's Vice President, according to local media reports on Thursday.

The constitutional amendments were made upon Prime Minister Emmanuel Issoze Ngondetto's request to have Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou carry out Bongo's duties.

Bongo has been undergoing treatment in Riyadh since he left for Saudi Arabia on Oct. 24.