The first ruler to fall under the sword of the Arab Spring was Tunisia’s ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. He ruled Tunisia for decades as a strongman until the revolution forced him into exile. He is now reportedly fading into obscurity while in exile in Saudi Arabia with his family. The first victim of the Arab Spring was a 26-year-old fruit and vegetable vendor by the name of Mohamed Bouazizi, who set himself alight, in protest at the level of corruption and economic injustice prevalent in Tunisia, on December 17, 2010. Bouazizi died on January 4, 2011. Ten days later, after a serious of mass popular uprisings, Ben Ali left his stronghold of Tunisia for a life of exile. Al Jazeera English YouTube video: Tunisians are marking five years since long-time leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country, having been overthrown. He was the first ruler to fall in what came to be known as the Arab Spring. Ben Ali found himself unable to calm national fury about problems like unemployment, poverty and corruption. Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra reports from Tunis. New Vision reports: After months of protests against his 23-year rule, Ben Ali fled Tunisia in January 2011 [...]