RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's state news agency said Tunisia's ousted president has arrived in the kingdom.

The Saudi Press Agency cited a statement from the office of King Abdullah that said: ''we have welcomed in the Saudi kingdom the arrival of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his family.''

The Friday statement said the decision to accept Ben Ali was made in light of ''the exceptional circumstances the Tunisian people are going through'' and with a ''wish for peace and security to the people of Tunis.''

No further details were immediately available.