BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin was named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2007 on Wednesday for bringing stability and renewed status to Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news briefing after talks with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (not pictured) in Moscow's Kremlin December 18, 2007. Greece wants to double imports of Russian gas after 2016 when a new link will be built to supply fuel from Siberia to Europe's south, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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    "(It's) for an extraordinary feat of leadership in taking a country that was in chaos and bringing it stability," Time managing editor Richard Stengel announced on NBC's "Today Show."

    Putin beat out several rivals including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and British author J.K. Rowling.

    (Agencies)