WASHINGTON/OSLO (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said Friday he was "surprised" and "humbled" by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and said he doubted he deserved to be honored alongside luminaries who had won the award.

"I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel committee," Obama said in his first public reaction to the award in remarks in the White House Rose Garden.

"Let me be clear. I do not view it a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations."

"To be honest, I do not feel I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who have been honored by this prize."

Barack Obama said he would accept the Nobel Peace Prize as a "call to action" for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st Century.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg wrote Friday on his Twitter account that he had spoken by telephone with US President Barack Obama who said he was "looking forward to" picking up his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

"Just congratulated Obama for a well-deserved prize," Stoltenberg said in the telegraphic style used on the microblogging site that limits entries to 140 characters.

"The president is looking forward to comimg to Oslo to pick it up," he said.