Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, has died in exile in Saudi Arabia, according to his lawyer. He was 83.
Mounir Ben Salha said that Ben Ali died on Thursday in Jeddah and that his body is to be transferred to Mecca, awaiting the family's decision on his burial.
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Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, has died in exile in Saudi Arabia, according to his lawyer. He was 83.
He then fled to Saudi Arabia.
FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2001 file photo, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, left, welcomes Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat prior to their talks in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoFile)
File - In this Oct.25 2009 file photo, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali casts his ballot in Carthage, Tunisia. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoAlfred de Montesquiou, File)
FILE - In this Oct.25, 2009 file photo Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali salutes his supporters in the affluent Carthage neighborhood next to the capital, Tunis.Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoAlfred de Montesquiou, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2004 file photo, President Bush shakes hands with Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoSusan Walsh, File)
FILE - In this July 10 2007 file photo, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, is greeted by Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during a welcoming ceremony in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (Jean-Paul Pelissier, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - In this July 10, 2007 file photo, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali waves upon the arrival of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Tunis airport. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori, Pool, File)
FILE - In this Nov.7, 2007 file photo, Tunisian President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila are seen in Rades, outside Tunis, marking the 20th anniversary of Ben Ali's presidency. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoHassene Dridi, File)
FILE - In this Nov.7, 2008 file photo, children welcome Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as he arrives to a meeting marking the 21st anniversary of his accent to powe in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoHassene Dridi, File)
Ben Ali was ousted in 2011 at the start of what became known as the Arab Spring, a movement that saw many autocratic leaders swept from power.
FILE - In this Nov.7, 2007 file photo, Tunisian President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali waves to supporters in Rades, outside Tunis, before celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Ben Ali's presidency. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoHassene Dridi, File)
He then fled to Saudi Arabia.
FILE - In this Aug.2, 2000 file photo, Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi, left, is welcomed by Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2001 file photo, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, left, welcomes Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat prior to their talks in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoFile)
File - In this Oct.25 2009 file photo, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali casts his ballot in Carthage, Tunisia. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoAlfred de Montesquiou, File)
FILE - In this Oct.25, 2009 file photo Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali salutes his supporters in the affluent Carthage neighborhood next to the capital, Tunis.Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoAlfred de Montesquiou, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2004 file photo, President Bush shakes hands with Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoSusan Walsh, File)
FILE - In this July 10 2007 file photo, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, is greeted by Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during a welcoming ceremony in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (Jean-Paul Pelissier, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - In this July 10, 2007 file photo, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali waves upon the arrival of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Tunis airport. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori, Pool, File)
FILE - In this Nov.7, 2007 file photo, Tunisian President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila are seen in Rades, outside Tunis, marking the 20th anniversary of Ben Ali's presidency. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoHassene Dridi, File)
FILE - In this Nov.7, 2008 file photo, children welcome Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as he arrives to a meeting marking the 21st anniversary of his accent to powe in Tunis. Tunisia's autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in 2011, died in exile in Saudi Arabia. (AP PhotoHassene Dridi, File)