The family of former Tunisian President Fouad Mebazaa announced his passing on Wednesday at the age of 91. Mebazaa served as Tunisia's interim president following the 2011 revolution that toppled the late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Political Legacy:

• Career Statesman: Prominent figure under both President Habib Bourguiba and Ben Ali

• Longtime Politician: Held multiple government positions as member of ruling party

• Parliamentary Leader: Served as Speaker of Parliament from 1997 until the regime's fall

Historic Transition Role:

1. Constitutional Succession: Assumed presidency in January 2011 after Ben Ali fled

2. Democratic Steward: Oversaw Tunisia's first free elections in October 2011

3. Peaceful Transfer: Handed power to elected President Moncef Marzouki

4. Institutional Bridge: Facilitated creation of new constitution via National Constituent Assembly

Contextual Significance:
Mebazaa's 11-month interim presidency (Jan-Dec 2011) established the constitutional continuity that made Tunisia the Arab Spring's sole democratic success story. His death comes as Tunisia marks 13 years since the revolution.