Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Friday for “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation,” a stunning surprise less than nine months into his presidency.

Obama said he was “surprised and deeply humbled”. Putting to rest speculation that he might turn down the honour announced in Oslo when he was still asleep, the president said he would accept the Prize as “a call to action”.

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

The announcement shocked people in Oslo where an audible gasp escaped the audience, drew criticism in the US and abroad, and caught the President’s advisers unawares. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs woke up Obama with the news shortly before 6 am (3.30 pm IST).

While Obama has generated considerable goodwill worldwide, most of his policy efforts are yet to bear fruit. North Korea has defied him, Iran only just agreed to restart nuclear talks, and support for his Afghan war is dwindling.

“The question... is, ‘What has President Obama actually accomplished?’,” said Republican Michael Steele. “It is unfortunate (his) star power has outshined (those with) real achievements... (He) certainly won’t be receiving any awards from Americans...”

Elsewhere, some leaders and analysts applauded the choice, others said the award was premature, based more on intentions than on accomplishments.

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