Two men died after overnight clashes in Gabon's capital Libreville between security forces and demonstrators protesting after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of a contested election, witnesses and an AFP journalist said.

Bekam Ella Edzang, a 27-year-old law student, died of his wounds in hospital Friday morning after he was shot in the abdomen, an AFP journalist said.

"He was injured at around 9:00 pm (2000 GMT) by the Republican Guard, who were firing tear gas and live bullets," a childhood friend of the victim who identified himself only as Geraud told AFP at the hospital.

In the Libreville district of Nzeng Ayong, another AFP correspondent saw dozens of protesters carrying the body of a 30-year-old wrapped in a flag of the central African nation.

His mother told AFP he was shot in front of his home Thursday night.

The latest deaths take the toll up to five killed since riots and protests broke out Wednesday after Bongo was declared the winner of the weekend presidential vote.

His main rival Jean Ping and his supporters say the vote result was rigged.