Tunisian despot Ben Ali turns up in Jeddah

It was always a likely destinaton. What other country on earth welcomes despots and dictators of such ilk. Ben Ali is welcome to his bolthole. He's going to continue in some kind of luxury lap. A Saudi palace statement said, "Out of concern for the exceptional circumstances facing the brotherly Tunisian people and in support of the security and stability of their country... the Saudi government has welcomed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his family to the kingdom."

If such a man is welcomed, what sort of man is shunned?

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Tunisia in torment and turmoil with street protests

Here's another greedy president on his way out. President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia may think he's been God's gift to his people but the people want a refund. He's probably best off trying to find digs in some Saudi prince's harem. Otherwise he could end up like that rotten little man Ceaucescu in Romania. Or worse still like Mussolini. Something for that philandering Berlusconi to think about too!

These characters must think everyone else is barking mad, or supinely foolish. Anyway, the world knows now that he is a crook, with a crooked wife in tow. It's time he went.

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