Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

[Naveed Yaseen]

OSLO: US President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning decision designed to encourage his nascent initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and replace unilateral American action with international diplomacy and cooperation.

Nobel observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency, which began less than two weeks before the February 1 nomination deadline.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama woke up to the news a little before 6am EDT. The White House said Obama would accept his Nobel Peace Prize in person, AFP quoted the White House. The Norwegian Nobel Committee lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama’s calls for peace and cooperation but recognised initiatives that have yet to bear fruit: reducing the world stock of nuclear arms, easing American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthening the US role in combating climate change.

President Asif Ali Zardari felicitated President Obama on winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. In his message, Zardari hoped that Obama would continue his struggle to achieve and promote peace in the world, APP reported. agencies

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