Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to execute Islamic fundamentalists. SISMI's action did not have the consent of René Imbot, head of the French secret service, and the USA allegedly was not informed. According to Martini, the SISMI did not have an operational role in Ben Ali's rise to power, but organised a move to support his new government politically and economically, preventing Tunisia from falling into an open confrontation with fundamentalists, as happened in Algeria in the following years. Ben Ali initially promised a more democratic way of ruling the country than had prevailed under Bourguiba. One of his first acts upon taking office was
Mohamed Jegham 2011 as Minister of Trade and Tourism in the "unity government" led by Mohamed Ghannouchi, after the flight of former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali during the Tunisian revolution. He was replaced ten days later by Mehdi Houas because of his political ties with the RCD and having been part of the government of Ben Ali. He announced on February 19 that he founded a new party called the Homeland Party. Slim Chaker is his secretary of state. Mohamed Jegham is married to his cousin Rafiaa, with whom he has three children. Mohamed Jegham Mohamed Jegham (), (born August 8,