A special envoy from Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba yesterday paid a courtesy call on Acting President John Nkomo at his Munhumutapa Offices to solicit Zimbabwe's support for Mr Jean Ping's re-election bid for the AU Commission chairmanship.

Mr Ping hails from Gabon.Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Jean Yveys Teale, the special advisor to President Bongo Ondimba said they had also discussed strengthening bilateral relations between Gabon and Zimbabwe.

"I came to convey a special message from President Bongo to his elder brother President Mugabe to enhance bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Gabon," he said.

Mr Teale said he had also come to request Zimbabwe's support for Mr Ping."Mr Jean Ping is seeking re-election and we came also to express our request to Zimbabwe's Government for support of Jean Ping's re-election," he said.

Mr Ping will fight for the post with South Africa's Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma.The special envoy was, however, evasive on allegations that his country is used by Western powers as a conduit to fund the MDC.

"We have very good political relations with Zimbabwe and I don't think it's true that the purpose of Gabon is to cause instability in foreign countries," he said.

Mr Teale said his country's relations with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were "very good" and said they wanted to assist the inclusive Government in its agenda.

"Prime Minister Tsvangirai and President Mugabe are working for the development of this country and we are willing to assist them," Mr Teale said.

PM Tsvangirai was in Gabon last year on a secret visit which observers said was also to canvass Gabon's support in his MDC's agenda for the UN to take tough action against Zimbabwe and President Mugabe.

Gabon currently sits in the UN Security Council under the rotational system.Mr Teale also held a private meeting with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at his Strathaven home.The media was barred from taking photographs of the PM and Mr Teale.

After the meeting which lasted less than five minutes, Mr Teale said he was delivering a message from his President and seeking Zimbabwe's support for Mr Ping's re-election as the AU Commission chairperson.