The former Tunisian president Ben Ali is reported to be seriously ill in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The French news agency AFP reports that the 74-year-old has been in a coma for the past two days after suffering a stroke.

The Reuters news agency quotes a Saudi source who says the ex-leader is in a “grave condition”.

Ben Ali fled to the Red Sea city of Jeddah after being ousted in a popular revolt last month.