WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States on Friday congratulated Finnish former president Martti Ahtisaari for his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
"The United States warmly congratulates" Ahtisaari and "commends the Nobel Committee for its wise decision" to award him the prize, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
"President Ahtisaari has dedicated his life to promoting peace throughout the world. It is deeply gratifying to see his work and achievements honored in this manner," he added, reading a statement.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday awarded the 2008 Peace Prize to Ahtissari, the former Kosovo mediator.
It said later there was "no alternative" to independence for the breakaway Serbian province, which was strongly backed by the United States.
Ahtisaari has spent the past 30 years helping mediate a range of conflicts including in Kosovo.
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