President of Tunisia, Beji Caid Essebsi Dies

Beji Caid Essebsi, the President of Tunisia has been confirmed dead by the Presidency at the age of 92. Essebsi died after being taken to a military hospital on Wednesday.

Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi was the fifth President of Tunisia from December 2014 until his death. He had previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1981 to 1986 and as Prime Minister from February 2011 to December 2011

He was a major player in the country’s transition to democracy since 2011, after autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown. This was followed by uprisings against authoritarian leaders across the Middle East, including Libya and Egypt.

Parliamentary elections are expected to be held on October 6 with a presidential vote following on November 17.