Ex-Finnish President Ahtisaari wins Nobel Peace Prize

Oslo (Norway), Oct.10 : Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari has won the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize for his peace-building and brokering efforts in international conflicts for more than 30 years, including his role in a 2005 accord between Indonesia and rebels in its province of Aceh, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

"These efforts have contributed to a more peaceful world and to 'fraternity between nations' in Alfred Nobel's spirit," the committee said in announcing the prize.

Ahtisaari played a significant part in 1989 to 1990 in the establishment of Namibia's independence, while striving in 1999 and 2005 to 2007 to find a solution to the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo over the latter's independence, the committee said.

Ahtisaari has also tried to help find a peaceful conclusion to the problems in Iraq, it said.

ANI