The first democratically-elected President of Tunisia, Beji Caid Essebsi has died today at the age of 92.

A statement by his office said the veteran politician, the oldest head of state after Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II had been hospitalized with a severe illness in late June and was returned to intensive care on Thursday.

Essebsi served as an adviser to President  Habib Bourguiba, the father of Tunisia’s independence from France, holding a number of key jobs under him and later under President Ben Ali.

Over the years, Essebsi was Director-General of the country’s National Police and Interior Minister. He later held the defence portfolio before becoming Ambassador to France .

He became Prime Minister after the 2011 uprising and organized parliamentary elections later that year.

Essebsi, the founder and chairman of the secularist Nidaa Tounes (Call of Tunis) party came to power in 2014, three years after the Arab Spring toppled longtime despot, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked revolts in several Arab nations.

Concerned over a potential power vacuum ahead of November polls, politicians and social media users had called for greater transparency about the president’s health since he was hospitalized.

Tunisia’s constitution which was 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 the country’s 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.

In April, Essebsi said he did not plan to stand for re-election in the polls due to be held on November 17 this year in order to make way for someone younger.

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