|
First Arab leader overturned by street protests |
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
2011 will be remembered for the having seen an Arab president ousted by massive demonstrations.
After days of protests and a mounting pressure, the Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled Tunisia and is reported to have landed in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Tunisia plunged into a wave of violence inmost of its big cities. With reports of looting, clashes and violence against businesses and elements linked to Ben Ali. That comes after a recent diplomatic cables from the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia obtained by WikiLeaks revealed growing discontent, especially over nepotism within the government.
WikiLeaks published a 2009 cable recounting a lavish dinner for the U.S. ambassador given by Ben Ali's son-in-law, a prominent businessman. The dinner featured ice cream and frozen yogurt flown in from Saint Tropez, the diplomat said. In a region with countries living similar conditions others seemed to take note. In Cairo, Egypt, about dozens of protesters stood outside the Tunisian Embassy and chanted, "Revolution in Tunisia is revolution in Egypt!"
Ben Ali's departure -- which came the same day he dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency -- follows widespread outrage over poor living conditions, high unemployment, corruption and repression. With the family of Ben Ali
The wave of rallies was sparked by the suicide of an unemployed college graduate, who torched himself last month after police confiscated his fruit cart, cutting off his source of income.
55 people had been killed over the past several weeks of demonstrations. The president had put the number at 21 before his departure.
Tunisia has been a relatively stable and prosperous country in what diplomats call "a rough neighborhood."
Under Ben Ali, it was a pro-Western state supportive of U.S. policy in the Middle East and in its efforts against terrorism.
|
