Obama 'surprised and deeply humbled' by Nobel award

US President Barack Obama said he was “surprised and deeply humbled” to be honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize today.

At an unscheduled press conference at the White House, Mr Obama joked: “This was not what I expected to wake up to this morning”.

“To be honest I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures that have been honoured by this prize, that have inspired me and the entire world in their courageous pursuit of peace.”

“I do not view it as recognition of my own accomplishments but rather as affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.”

The award would be accepted as “a call to action” for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century, Mr Obama said.

Domestic political opponents of the president were quick to criticise the decision by the Nobel Committee.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican Party, said it was “unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights”.

“The real question Americans are asking is: ’What has President Obama actually accomplished?’,” adding that he would not be “receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action”.