By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was selected the African Man of the Year 2008 in a poll conducted in Dec. 2008 by two Mauritanian dailies, the 'Quotidian' and 'Essahafa,' a Tunisian Press Agency (TAP) reported Tuesday.
The reports acknowledged various policies initiated by Ben Ali since he took office in 1987, adding that they had upgraded the country's international status.
The poll showed that many felt Ben Ali successfully managed to mobilize his people to build a development model which today acts as a reference for other countries.
``The comprehensive development model which President Ben Ali has set up in Tunisia is a symbol of exceptional vision which has enabled all Tunisians to remain at the forefront of progress and transformation and ready to cope with any crisis,'' the Quotidian noted.
The paper additionally remarked, ``In a couple of decades, Tunisia has managed, in the absence of crisis and upheavals, to modernize all its institutions and catch up with the best emerging countries.''
Tunisia's economy is ranked first in Africa and fifth among Arab nations in competitiveness. In particular, Tunisia has seen marked development in 12 strategic sectors, including institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic stability, education, employment and finance in recent years.
Born Sept. 3, 1936 in Hammam-Sousse, Tunisia, Ben Ali has had a lengthy career in government prior to taking office as the President. He served at the ministries of defense and interior, and represented his country in Poland as ambassador before becoming prime minister in October 1987.