Tunisia Issues International Arrest Warrant For Ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Videos)

Tunisia - Tunisia's government issued an international arrest warrant Wednesday for ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and six relatives, accusing him of taking money out of the North African nation illegally.Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being driven from power this month by violent protests, was also being charged with illegally acquiring real estate and other assets abroad, Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said.Interpol said its Tunis bureau issued a global alert seeking the arrest of Ben Ali and six family members, without specifying who. Chebbi said Ben Ali's wife, Leila, was among those wanted by Tunisian authorities.

Ben Ali, his wife and their clan have been widely accused of abusing their power to enrich themselves. In France, where family members are believed to have assets ranging from apartments to racehorses, Paris prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into their holdings.French media have reported that Leila left the country with millions in gold, but Tunisia's new central bank governor, Mustapha Kamel Nabli, says no gold was taken from the bank's vaults during the final days of Ben Ali's regime.

The top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Jeffrey Feltman, wrapped up a three-day visit in Tunis on Wednesday, rejecting speculation that the United States was involved in Ben Ali's removal."This is a revolution by Tunisians for Tunisians, and the United States was not involved," Feltman told reporters, crediting the interim government for greater openness and steps toward political reform.

Tunisian government had contacted Interpol to detain former president Zein El Abiden Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia on Jan 15, amid anti-government protests in the streets of Tunis.The, 74 year old, Ben Ali is charged for property theft and money laundering, during his rule in Tunisia.

The former leader and his wife are being sought for "illegal acquisition" of assets and "illicit transfers of funds abroad," Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said, according to state - run TAP news agency.Ben Ali, who had been in power since 1987, fled to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14 following mass protests against his government over unemployment, price hike and corruption.

Tunisia issues arrest warrant for ousted president Ben Ali