This picture taken on December 09, 1978 shows Gabonese president Omar Bongo (L) meeting Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (R) during his official visit to China. Africa's longest-serving ruler, Gabon President Omar Bongo Ondimba, who was being treated for an illness in a Spanish clinic, has died aged 73, a French government source said on June 7, 2009. Getty Images logo Getty Images 32 months ago

This picture taken on December 09, 1978 shows Gabonese president Omar Bongo (L) meeting Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (R) during his official visit to China. Africa's longest-serving ruler, Gabon President Omar Bongo Ondimba, who was being treated for an illness in a Spanish clinic, has died aged 73, a French government source said on June 7, 2009.