「In January 2011, a sudden and explosive wave of street protests ousted the authoritarian president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled with an iron hand for 23 years. On January 14 Mr. Ben Ali left the country amid growing chaos, after trying unsuccessfully to placate the demonstrators with promises of elections.
His prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, initially said he would take up presidential power, a plan he was forced to abandon the next day. He then created a government of unity, bringing in members of the official opposition, to serve as an interim government until elections could be held.」