President Albert Bernard Bongo of the Gabonese Republic laid the foundation stones of two hospitals in Libraville on Friday (9 February).

The new Libreville Children's hospital will have 100 beds and facilities for out-patients. The University Hospital Centre will complete Libereville University's new Faculty of Medicine.

President Bongo also laid the foundation stones of three other projects the same day; a new market in the Aksbo quarter of the capital, the central Courthouse, and living quarters for workers of the Trans-Gabonese Rail System.

The conference came two days before the opening of the President's re-election campaign. The election, Scheduled for February 25th, will be congested only by the President and National Assembly candidates backed by the ruling Gabon Democratic Party.

SYNOPSIS: President Albert Bernard Bongo of the Gabonese Republic arrived on Friday at the site of the new Libreville University Hospital.

When built the hospital will complete the university's Medical Faculty.

The Minister of Education, Jerome Okinda, opened the foundation ceremony by praising the hospital as another milestone in what the President has called "This Year of Great Achievements".

President Bongo then laid the foundation stone. The ceremony came two days before his re-election campaign was scheduled to start. The election are on February 25th.

The President laid the foundation stone of the Librewille Children's Hospital later the same day. Minister of Works Paul Malekou opened the ceremonies.

Afterwards, the President completed an exhaustive day's schedule by laying three more foundation stones -- for a new market in the capital, a Palace of Justice, and the first stages of the Trans-Gabon Railway.