Tunisia, named after its capital Tunis, has a population of some 10.3 million; 98% of whom are Arab. Formerly a semi autonomous part of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia became a French Protectorate in 1883, however was briefly occupied to some extent by German and Italian troops until they were forced out in 1943. Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956 and became the Kingdom of Tunisia. (The term for king in Tunisia is Bey.) Bey Muhammad VIII al-Amin's rule however was cut short in 1957 when he was placed under house arrest and deposed. He died in 1962 never having abdicated his rights as Bey. The Tunisian Republic was proclaimed and Prime Minister and founder of the pro-independence Neo-Dustour Party, Habib Bourguiba declared president.

Bourguiba went on to dominate Tunisia politics for three decades and established the country as a trading friend of the west. His hard line against Islamic extremists led to many western allies turning something of a blind eye to a harsh regime at home. On 7th November 1987 then Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali declared Bourguiba impeached on grounds of senility in what was effectively a bloodless coup, and became president until he was forced to flee the country to Saudi Arabia following violent demonstrations leading up to and including 14th January 2011. Former parliamentary speaker Fouad Mebazaa has assumed the role of interim President with a promise of democratic elections within sixty days with Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi being asked to form a temporary government.

However within weeks Ghannouchi was forced to resign bowing to pressure from protestors that Tunisia could only move forward if it made a clean break with the past. Elections for a constituent assembly were scheduled for 24th July however postponed until 23rd October 2011 when 4.4 million Tunisians finally got the opportunity to vote and shape the future of their country. As the situation is changing rapidly keep up with the latest news from Tunisia here.