Tunisia: BBC reveals recordings of Ben Ali's last phone calls
Recordings released by the BBC show the collapse of the Tunisian leader's authority after 23 years of dictatorship.
FETHI BELAID AFP/Archivos
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
On the occasion of January 14, the day commemorating the 2011 Tunisian revolution, the BBC broadcast sound extracts from the secret telephone recordings made by former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali during the last 48 hours of his reign and as he left Tunisia.
These last moments show the collapse of his authority after 23 years of dictatorship.
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The BBC claims the voices are genuine even though those involved deny it.
The phone calls from Ben Ali
, who died in 2019 in Saudi Arabia, were to his defense minister, his army chief and two personal friends.
These recordings confirm what we already know about the role played by the army so that he left power and never returned.
The first of these phone calls, made on the evening of January 13, was given to a relative, businessman Tarak Ben Ammar.
The latter covers him with praise for his speech of the day: "
You were wonderful, it's the Ben Ali we were waiting for
", says Tarak Ben Ammar.
From the plane that takes him and his family to Jeddah.
Ben Ali calls Ridha Grira, his defense minister who informs him: Mohamed Ghannouchi has been appointed interim president.
Ben Ali makes him repeat.
Then he replies: “
What!
But I'll be back in a few hours
."
He then calls his friend, Kamal Eltaief and asks him: “
Do you advise me to come back?
".
He will have to repeat his question four times before his interlocutor confides in him: “
Things are not looking good.
»
As for Rachid Ammar, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, he pretends not to recognize his voice: "
I am the president
", insists Ben Ali.
About his possible return, the soldier means to him: "
When we see that it is possible to return, we will inform you, Mr. President
", replies the head of the army.
The next morning, his Minister of Defense is more direct.
"
If you go back, I can't guarantee your safety
."
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Tunisia
Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali