CNN Arabic readers choes Erdogan as man of the year

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been named "Man of the Year" by readers of CNN Arabic's website. According to the Dubai-based news portal, an overwhelming 74 percent of readers voted for Erdogan, trailed by Syrian President Bashar Assad with 20 percent. The website said Erdogan's recent success in diplomacy was pivotal in his winning the title. It pointed to Erdogan's stand at the Davos summit early last year, his position in the aftermath of the Mavi Marmara attack in May, Turkey's role in Iraq and Afghanistan, its role as a mediator between Iran and major Western powers, and its efforts to solve problems between Syria and Lebanon.