Breaking: Tunisian Dictator OUSTED in Revolution

[liberalpragmatist]

BBC: President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali forced out

This is BIG. A democratic - and largely secular - revolution in the Arab world. And while it's being almost entirely ignored by the American newsmedia, it's HUGE news in the ME, dominating coverage on Al Jazeera - it has already helped spawn major protests in neighboring Algeria, and is causing unrest in Egypt as well.

News blackout means reports are still murky, but Al Jazeera reporters are tweeting:

29 days of defiance to one of the strongest regimes in the world. Regime is falling today,

People are still on the streets.. some seen hugging and kissing soldiers in joy

The family of Ben Ali has been arrested

Who will give ex president of Tunisia a safe haven

Where do you think Mr. Ben Ali is going.. Most are saying FRANCE ! Some said UAE..

President of Tunisian Parliament takes over according to constitution which gives him 60 days till new elections

Ladies and gentleman: THE TUNISIAN REGIME IS OFFICIALLY DOWN.

> http://twitter.com/Dima_Khatib

1740 GMT: Reports say a ruling committee has been formed, headed by the Speaker of Parliament and including the Minister of Defense.

1725 GMT: Counter-Narrative. According to Al Arabiya, Speaker of Parliament Parliament Speaker Fuad Mbazaa says he is running Tunisia temporarily and will announce early elections. Under Tunisian law, those elections must take place within 60 days.

> http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/1/14/tunisia-liveblog-will-ben-alis-last-card-be-trumped.html

[villager]

1. Good news. Wonder if "Western interests" coincide with those on the street

...in this instance?

(And by "Western interests," I don't mean yours or mine, but what the various governments imagine is for the collective -- i.e., corporate -- "good")

[Catherina]

2. I jumped up cheering at the news. This is momentous. More please. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

3. I hope the rest of the world catches up to democracy before we totally crash ours;

such as it is.

Thanks for the thread, liberalpragmatist.

[NBachers]

4. Hoooly shit! I got goosebumps

[mix]

5. good news, now it this would only happen in Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt,

maybe this will give inspiration to rise up across North Africa...

[tabatha]

6. Yep, and it did not happen around Iraq or Afghanistan.

But guess what, the right will take credit for it somehow.