Nobel Peace Prize to ElBaradei

One more Egyptian to frolic in the ranks of Nobel Laurates: Mohamed ElBaradei was awarded the 2005 peace prize, together with IAEA, the nuclear watchdog he is heading.

"I think the prize recognizes the number one danger we are facing today and that is the threat of proliferation of nuclear weapons."

The former Egyptian diplomat began a third term at the IAEA last month after the US withdrew its objections to his reappointment. Washington had complained that he was being "soft" on Iran.

It is the 111th peace prize to be awarded. In all categories, 721 men, 33 females and 18 organizations have been awarded the Nobel prize. Jean Paul Sartre is one of two who has declined the price. Adolf Hitler forbade three awardees to receive the prize; the Soviet Union one.

Former peace laureates include: Anwar El-Sadat and Menachem Begin, 1978; Yasser Arafat, 1994 together with Yitzhak Rabbin and Shimon Peres; Kofi Annan, 2001; Jimmy Carter, 2002 and Shirin Ebadi, 2003.

/ I am disappointed with the Norwegian Nobel Committee; ever since 2001 the obvious candidate is George W. Bush!