Tunisian president wins 5th term in landslide

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President, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, has won a fifth term with over 89 percent of the vote, in Tunisia's presidential election.

Officials confirmed the victory on Monday. Many voters have credited the president with turning Tunisia into a stable and relatively prosperous country in a region that suffers from poverty and political turmoil. One opposition party called Sunday's vote a missed opportunity to make the North African country more democratic.

Ben Ali, who is 73 has been in power for 22 years. He rejected the allegations, warning that anyone spreading lies to damage the country's image will be prosecuted. Ben Ali's winning margin was down slightly compared with the 94.4 percent he received in the last election five years ago.

Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila (L)  greet a woman as they arrive to cast their ballots in Tunis October  25, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)