Tunisian media reported that former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali died in exile in Saudi Arabia after a conflict with the disease.

The site "Mosaic FM" Tunisian former president died today, in a hospital in Saudi Arabia after a conflict with the disease.

Mounir Ben Salha, a lawyer for the former Tunisian president, confirmed on September 12 that his client had suffered a health crisis that obliged him to be hospitalized.

Born on September 3, 1936, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali served as President of the Republic of Tunisia from 7 November 1987 to 14 January 2011, and is the second President of Tunisia since its independence from France in 1956 after Habib Bourguiba.

Zine El Abidine was appointed prime minister in October 1987 and then took office a month later in November 1987 in a bloodless coup, declaring that President Bourguiba was incapable of taking office. He was re-elected by an overwhelming majority in all presidential elections, the latest of which was on 25 October 2009.