TUNIS, Tunisia — A recent rumor that Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi had died sparked controversy in the country’s popular and political circles. Essebsi, the world's oldest democratically elected head of state, celebrated his 91st birthday Nov. 29.
The rumor flared up Nov. 17 after a false story about Essebsi’s death was posted in Arabic on a fake Facebook account claiming to belong to the France 24 TV channel. On Nov. 27, France 24 said it was initiating legal proceedings against those who illegally used its logo to promote the rumor of the president's death, according to Tunisian news websites.