Assange named ‘Man of the Year’ by Le Monde

PARIS - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been named “Man of the Year” by the French newspaper Le Monde, which Friday devoted the front page of its weekly magazine to the 39-year-old Australian.

The paper is one of five international media outlets that have been evaluating confidential US diplomatic cables being released by Assange’s whistleblower website.

Assange told the Paris Match magazine for its Thursday edition that WikiLeaks has completed only “one fiftieth” of its mission, with 1,800 of the 251,000 documents reportedly in its possession released.

He said he has so far felt protected by his notoriety, but realises that he is the main target of critics.

Assange is currently living in Britain under strict bail conditions. Swedish prosecutors have accused him of sex offences against two women and have demanded his extradition. Assange has argued that the sex he had with the two women was consensual.