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Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak appearing to be headed out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Ousted world leaders have a history of slipping away to other countries and living a life of relative anonymity and leisure in exile. If President Mubarak joins the ranks of those who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere, where will he go? Some of his predecessors’ choices could give some guidance.

Egyptian State TV via Reuters TV/Reuters
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Former President of Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

Hassene Dridi/AP/File
This Nov. 7 file photo shows Former President of Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

  • By Ariel Zirulnick Correspondent

The newest member of the exiled leaders club first tried to touch down in France, his country’s former colonizer, when he fled Tunisia in January. When the French government rejected his request to land his plane, Mr. Ben Ali turned around and headed to Saudi Arabia, where the royal family welcomed him with open arms. He remains there today, and not much has been heard of him since. Many have said Saudi Arabia would be a logical destination for Mubarak if he too has to flee his country.

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