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 was named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2007 on Wednesday for bringing stability and renewed status to Russia. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "(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)