The government of Canada is preparing to arrest and deport Belhassen Trabelsi, a billionaire and also the brother-in-law of the recently deposed Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Canada has already revoked Trabelsi's residency permit and now seeks to confiscate his Canadian assets.

Trabelsi and his family reportedly flew to Montreal on a private jet last week just after Ben Ali fled Tunisia.

Tunisian embassy officials in Ottawa had requested the arrest and extradition of Trabelsi.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon told local media the government will make every effort to locate Trabelsi's assets.

He is not welcome, Cannon said. We are going to find - in the context, obviously, of current legislation - ways to assure, as quickly as possible, that we might comply with the demand from the Tunisia government.

Trabelsi was reportedly staying at the Chateau Vaudreuil Suites Hotel near Montreal, although his current whereabouts are unknown.

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