Three government sources said that he was in a council of ministers meeting when he suffered the cardiac attack. He was rushed to the hospital and died shortly after midday despite specialist treatment, said a government statement.
"He was a very great diplomat, a true statesman. For me, he was first of all a friend, loyal and faithful, whom I could always count on," said Bongo on Twitter.
(Reporting by Gerauds Wilfried Obangome; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Frances Kerry)
