Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Tunisia's Constitutional Council: President Ben Ali's Departure is Permanent VOA News 15 January 2011 People celebrate on January 14, 2011 near the Tunisian Embassy in Paris, after the announcement that Tunisian fallen President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali quit Tunisia after weeks of deadly protests Photo: AFP People celebrate on January 14, 2011 near the Tunisian Embassy in Paris, after the announcement that Tunisian fallen President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali quit Tunisia after weeks of deadly protests Tunisia's Constitutional Council says the departure of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is permanent and parliament speaker Foued Mebezza is temporarily assuming power in the North African country. The council, Tunisia's highest legal authority on constitutional issues, says the country's new leader has 60 days to organize a presidential election. The council made the announcement one day after Mr. Ben Ali fled for Saudi Arabia Friday following days of violent protests. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi initially said he would be taking over as interim president. Mr. Ben Ali was Tunisia's president for 23 years. He left the country after massive protests over unemployment and high food prices and growing unrest left at least 23 people dead. The violence was sparked by the suicide of a university graduate who set himself on fire after police confiscated produce authorities say he was selling without a permit. Before leaving Tunis, Mr. Ben Ali dismissed his government and declared a state of emergency. Public gatherings were banned and security forces were authorized to shoot rioters.  Overnight, rioters set fire to the main train station in Tunis and looted shops. Officials say scores of detainees died in a prison fire Saturday. Reuters news agency reports some inmates fled the prison in the resort town of Monastir.  The military closed Tunisian airspace Friday and it was reopened on Saturday.   Hospital officials said 13 people were killed late Thursday, the same day that Mr. Ben Ali announced a series of concessions aimed at ending the disorder.  He promised sweeping political and media reforms and slashed prices on food staples.  Also Friday, Tunisia's ambassador to UNESCO, the United Nations cultural and education agency, resigned. Ambassador Mezri Haddad cited the unrest but did not elaborate. Related report by VOA's Ravi Khanna .