Thaindian News

LONDON (BNO NEWS) – British Prime Minister Brown on Friday sent a message to President Obama to congratulate him on his Nobel Peace Prize win, Downing Street said. Ireland also welcomed the news.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister told BNO News that Brown sent the message shortly after the announcement was made, but said the message was private and that more details would not be released.

Ireland’s Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the head of the government, released a statement to “warmly congratulate Obama. “On behalf of the Irish people, I wish to warmly congratulate President Obama on this magnificent achievement,” Cowen said. “The Nobel Committee has rightly recognized the President’s endeavors in diplomacy.”

“In his first year of office, President Obama and his Administration ahve sought to address many difficult international challenges and issues. He has worked patiently with countries from the Middle East and elsewhere, at the United Nations, the G20 and with the European Union partners to overcome them,” Cowen continued.

“Ireland has consistently supported the need for sustained diplomatic engagement on disarmament and I welcome the US President’s efforts in this regard,” he concluded. Cowen added to say that the continued engagement of Obama and the US to secure peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland is “deeply appreciated” by the Government and the people of Ireland.

Earlier on Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 would be awarded to President Barack Obama for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” The Committee also said it attached “special importance” to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.