Former President of Finland Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Former President and current UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari has been announced as this year's Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. He's known for his negotiation efforts over Kosovo and Aceh.

The Nobel Foundation announced in Olso, Norway, that Martti Ahtisaari has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize. He receives a gold medal, diploma and around $1.42 m. A secret party of five, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, chose Mr Ahtisaari from 197 nominees. The committee said: "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts. These efforts have contributed to a more peaceful world and to 'fraternity between nations' in Alfred Nobel's spirit." In 2005, Mr Ahtisaari successfully brokered a treaty between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government for the withdrawal of the armed Indonesian forces. GAM, who was fighting for independence, also dropped demands for a free Aceh. He also helped in the Kosovo negotiations, calling for an international monitoring process toward independence for the country. Kosovo gained independence in February this year. The citation also mentions his contributions in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Central Asia and Africa.