Tunisia president Beji Essebsi dies at 92

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi who was the first to be elected freely into office has died aged 92, said the country’s presidency.

The veteran politician and world’s oldest head of state after Queen Elizabeth II was admitted to hospital on Wednesday but officials did not say why he was receiving treatment.

He was admitted to hospital last month after suffering what officials said was a severe health crisis.

President Essebsi was voted into power in 2014, three years after the Arab Spring uprising toppled longtime despot Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked revolts in several Arab nations.

In April, Mr Essebi announced that he does not plan to seek re-election in the November polls despite calls for him to run again.

But the leader said he did not think he would put himself forward, saying it was time to “open the door to the youth.”

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Mr Essebsi was a former lawyer who studied and trained in the French capital Paris. During his long political career he also served as interior minister and Speaker of parliament.

Tunisia’s constitution, adopted in 2014, provides two measures in the case of a power vacuum.

The prime minister can take over the president’s responsibilities for a period of no more than 60 days.

If the vacancy is longer, the speaker of parliament is tasked with the role for up to 90 days.

In both cases, the decision must be taken by a constitutional court after it validates the president’s incapacity.

But eight years after the Arab Spring, Tunisia has yet to set up a constitutional court.

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