It can happen here.
Tunisia's embattled president surrenders power
Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi said late Friday in a televised address that President Zine El Abidine? ??Ben Ali has surrendered power and left Tunis.
Ghannouchi said that he would serve as interim president, Reuters reported.?????
Al Arabiya said a six-member leadership council would be formed to rule the country until elections. The council will be led by the head of Parliament and will include the defense minister.
Ben Ali had reportedly fled to Malta and was traveling under Libyan protection, Reuters reported.
"I vow that I will respect the constitution and implement the political, economic and social reforms that have been announced ... in consultation with all political sides including political parties and civil society," he said in the live address to a nation rocked by unrest.
The shakeup was certain to have repercussions in the Arab world and beyond -- as a sign that massive public outrage could bring down a leader as entrenched and powerful as Ben Ali.
He had tried vainly to hold onto power amid riots, declaring a state of emergency, dissolving the government and promising new legislative elections within six months. A day earlier, he slashed prices on key foods such as sugar, bread and milk.
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