Congratulations, criticism on Web over Obama Nobel

The surprise awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama triggered a deluge of congratulations and criticism on Twitter and across the Web on Friday.

Facebook groups celebrating the achievement appeared within minutes of the announcement along with one titled "Obama does not deserve the Nobel Prize" started by a user in Switzerland which attracted more than 170 members.

Three of the top 10 "trending topics" on micro-blogging service Twitter were related to the announcement -- "President Obama," "Nobel" and "Barack Obama."

Some Twitter users welcomed the choice while others derided it.

"Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize! How cool is that?" wrote "jimmyjamx."

"Congrats President Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize! You have filled the world with hope -- now you must make peace happen," said "MMFlint."

"When we said Obama was the second coming, you mocked us didn't you," joked "vcgriffin."

A user who goes by "krishgm" tweeted in a similar vein: "Well his obvious next step is to eradicate world hunger. That or cure cancer."

"Gosh, you think the Nobel will make it awkward when President Obama sends more troops to Afghanistan?" said "elhai."

A number of Twitter users expressed skepticism about honoring a president who has not yet completed a year in office.

"Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize? I mean I voted for him, but what really has he done? There are pleanty of more deserving people out there," said "StephanieJeanXO."

The inevitable jokes were also prevalent on Twitter.

"Obama wins $1mil Nobel award, asks to be paid in Euros," said "jtsmith24."

"Wow. George W. Bush was so bad, the Norwegians gave Obama the Nobel Peace Prize just for being President," said "JoshFlaum."

A number of users noted that the peace prize award coincided with NASA firing two rockets at the surface of the moon on a mission to look for water below the lunar surface.

"So, President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize EVEN AFTER declaring war on the moon?" said "gmcelyea."

Obama, for his part, tweeted a single word: "Humbled."

(c) 2009 AFP