Gabon "surprised" at British diamond claims

The government of Gabon has said it's astonished by a British report alleging Angolan UNITA rebels are selling diamonds in the Gabonese capital, Libreville.

The allegation was made last week by the British Foreign Office Minister, Peter Hain, in a statement to Parliament.

Mr Hain said a further private sale of diamonds could be held in Libreville within the next month.

A senior Gabonese minister, Martin Mabala, expressed surprise at the allegations and called on Britain to cooperate in an investigation.

Britain is leading a campaign to halt the sale of so-called "conflict diamonds" being used to fund wars in the region.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service