LIBREVILLE, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Gabon's Constitutional Court rejected on Monday challenges launched by the opposition to Ali Ben Bongo's victory in an August presidential election, paving the way for Ben Bongo to replace his father as president.

Violence erupted in two of the oil-producer's major cities shortly after the poll result was first announced but a disjointed collection of opposition parties failed to convince the court to reverse Ben Bongo's win in a drawn-out challenge.

The decision was read out on state television on Monday evening by Marie Madeleine Mborantsuo, the court's president. (Reporting by Linel Kwatsi; Writing by David Lewis)

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