In a stunning move, President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, according to news reports.

The president is being recognized for his efforts to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism, The Associated Press reported.

Some observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency. Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 Nobel Peace Prize nomination deadline.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told the AP that Obama woke up to the news a little before 6 a.m. EDT. The White House had no immediate comment on the announcement, which took the administration by surprise, according to the news service.

But Obama was reportedly “humbled’’ by the decision, CNN reported.

Pictured above is President Barack Obama.

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On the Net:

http://www.nobelpeaceprize.org