Tunisia's 92-year-old president will not seek re-election Published duration 6 April 2019

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption Beji Caid Essebsi won Tunisia's first free presidential election in 2014

Tunisia's 92-year-old president has announced he does not plan to stand in elections expected this November, despite calls for him to run.

Beji Caid Essebsi told a meeting of his ruling Nidaa Tounes party someone younger should take charge.

Mr Essebsi won the country's first free presidential poll in 2014.

Former leader Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali was ousted in 2011 after 23 years in office during the Arab Spring uprisings across the region.

Tunisia has won praise as the only democracy to emerge from the revolutions.

However, in recent years the country has suffered attacks by Islamists and economic problems, with unemployment a persistent issue.

Mr Essebsi's party have called for him to run, as under the constitution he is entitled to stand for a second term.

But the leader said he did not think he would put himself forward, saying it was time to "open the door to the youth".

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption Members of Mr Essebsi's party had wanted the 92-year-old to run in the elections

He also urged his party to end its feud with Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, who split from the government and formed his own party.

Presidential elections are scheduled for 17 November, although none of the main political parties have yet announced a candidate.