BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Police chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi was honored Tuesday night in Dubai and received the title of “Man of the Year 2011” in the Arab world for his distinguished leadership in the field of security.

At a ceremony organized by the Arab Organization for Administrative Development for the Arab League and the Tatweej Academy for Excellence and Quality, Rifi, who has headed the Internal Security Forces since 2005, was also awarded a gold medal for outstanding leadership in the Arab World.

Part of Rifi’s security achievements this year includes the arrest of over a dozen networks of individuals who were charged with collaborating with Israel.

The ISF also succeeded in arresting nine suspects in the case of the abduction of seven Estonian nationals who were later released in July, including the alleged mastermind of the operation. The arrest received international praise.

The seven Estonians were snatched from their bicycles by armed men on the outskirts of Zahle on March 23.