Honoured for peace in a time of war, US President Barack Obama is formally becoming a Nobel laureate on Thursday under such odd circumstances that even he will make a point of it.
In a ceremony in Oslo, the US President will receive his Nobel Peace Prize medal and diploma for his work to reshape the way in which the United States deals with the world.
Yet he does so under the long shadow of the war in Afghanistan, where he is ordering 30,000 more troops into battle.
In a ceremony at Oslo City Hall, US President Barack Obama was formally welcomed into the ranks of Nobel laureates who have won the prize, which was established 108 years ago. He said he accepted the award with “deep gratitude and great humility,” conceding it could be seen as premature.
He received this award under the long shadow of the war in Afghanistan, where he is ordering 30,000 more troops into battle. (NDTV Photo)
Obama was greeted by trumpets as he walked down the long aisle of the soaring ceremonial room alongside his wife Michelle, where an audience of 1,000 people waited.
Michelle took her seat in the front row, while Barack Obama assumed his position on the stage not far from the king and queen of Norway. (NDTV Photo)
Acknowledging the controversy surrounding his award, Obama said, “I am the commander-in-chief of the military of a nation in the midst of two wars….” He also referred to “difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and the attempt to replace one with the other.” (NDTV Photo)
A proud Barack Obama seen posing for photographs with his Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking on terrorism and war, Obama said, "Instruments of war have a role to play in preserving peace...War at some level is an expression of human failing. America alone cannot ensure peace." (NDTV Photo)
Obama's Nobel speech - a tradition that goes to the winner and is billed as a lecture for the world - explores his thinking about war, security and the pursuit of peace.
In his speech, Obama spoke about the role of American leadership and the responsibilities of all nations. (NDTV Photo)
Attending among other celebrities, Hollywood actor Will Smith with his wife Jade. (NDTV Photo)
Obama's first stop in Oslo was the Norwegian Nobel Institute, where the Nobel committee meets to decide who wins the prestigious prize.
Obama signed the Nobel guest book there and told reporters it was important to talk about what he had written. He then thanked the committee members and noted the pictures on the wall of former winners.
Obama singled out the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, saying that the prize increased the civil rights leader's stature in the world and elevated his cause at home. (AP Photo)
The Nobel committee announced Obama had won the peace prize when he wasn't even nine months on the job, recognising his aspirations much more than his achievements.
The panel cited his call for a world free of nuclear weapons, for a more engaged US role in combating global warming, for his support of the United Nations and multilateral diplomacy and for broadly capturing the attention of the world and giving its people "hope." (AP Photo)
It was such a surprise, and derided so loudly by some critics as premature, that the Nobel committee took the unusual step of defending itself.
Obama reacted with humility, saying he was undeserving. (AFP Photo)
Responding to all the criticism for recieving the Nobel Peace Prize, Obama said, "My task here is to continue on the path important for America and world peace, a world free of nuclear weapons, terrorism. If I'm successful in those tasks then hopefully some of the criticism will subside, but it's not of my concern. If I don't succeed then all the awards don't matter." (AP Photo)
Obama's quick trip reflects a White House that sees little value in trumpeting an honour for peace just nine days after Obama announced he was sending more troops off to war. (AP Photo)
The Nobel honour comes with a 1.4 million US dollars prize.
The White House says Obama will give that to charities, but has not yet decided which ones. (AFP Photo)
