Former Tunisian President Fouad Mebazaa passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91, according to local media reports.

Mebazaa is widely remembered for his role during Tunisia’s post-revolution transitional period, having assumed the role of interim president following the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 amid a popular uprising.

He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1997 to 2011, and held various ministerial positions under both President Habib Bourguiba and President Ben Ali, including posts in the foreign affairs, youth and sports, and health ministries.

Tunisia’s revolution began in December 2010 in the Sidi Bouzid governorate, following the self-immolation of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, who was protesting police mistreatment. The event sparked a nationwide protest movement that eventually led to Ben Ali’s departure from the country on January 14, 2011.