Ali, Zine El Abidene ben (Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali)

1936 - Ali was born in Hammam-Sousse, Tunisia on September 3, 1936.

1964 - Appointed as Chairman of the Defense Ministry's Military Security.

1977 - Promoted to director-general of National Security at the Ministry of the Interior.

1981 - Became Ambassador to Poland.

1982 - Resumed his position as the head of National Security at the Ministry of the Interior but this time with Cabinet rank.

1987 - Appointed Prime Minister and later President of Tunisia after President Bourguiba declared medically unfit for the duties of the office.

2002 - Called for the United Nations to setup a 'World Solidarity Fund'.

2004 - Re-elected as President on October 24, 2004.