Former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's lawyer announced his death yesterday in Saudi Arabia following a health crisis. Tunisian lawyer Mounir Ben Salha said the former president died in Jeddah after a struggle with the disease.
The former Tunisian president was taken to hospital a few days ago after a health deterioration that news agencies described as "serious."
The former Tunisian president faced popular protests that began on December 17, 2010, forcing him to leave the country on January 14, 2011.
Born on September 3, 1936, Zine El Abidine served as President of the Republic of Tunisia from November 7, 1987 to January 14, 2011, and is the second President of Tunisia since its independence from France in 1956 after Habib Bourguiba.
He was appointed prime minister in October 1987, and took office a month later in November 1987 in a bloodless coup.