Nobel judges admit Barack Obama 'didn't look happy'
The Nobel judges have admitted President Barack Obama "didn't look particularly happy" at being awarded the peace prize.
They issued a rare public defence of the process, which is normally shrouded in secrecy, after a storm of controversy surrounding their decision.
Four of the jury's five judges spoke out to say the selection they said was both merited and unanimous.
Committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland defended the decision by highlighting his efforts to heal the divide between the West and the Muslim world and scale down a Bush-era proposal for an anti-missile shield in Europe.
He said: "All these things have contributed to – I wouldn't say a safer world – but a world with less tension," he said.
However, Inger-Marie Ytterhorn said Mr Obama's demeanour spoke volumes when he acknowledged the award on the lawn of the White House Rose Garden.
"I looked at his face when he was on TV and confirmed that he would receive the prize and would come to Norway, and he didn't look particularly happy," she said.
She said there was a risk the prize would backfire on him by raising expectations even higher and giving ammunition to his critics.
The decision to award Mr Obama prompted controversy as he took office barely two weeks before the Feb 1 nomination deadline.
He expressed surprise and said the prize should be considered not a "recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations."
The White House declined to comment on the Nobel judge's latest statements.
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