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Obama Salutes New Nobel Laureates

President Barack Obama, who won 2009 Peace Prize, saluted this year’s winners, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (top), Yemeni women’s rights activist Tawakkul Karman (L), and Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee (R), October 7, 2011.

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Kent Klein

Last updated on: October 06, 2011 8:00 PM

President Barack Obama has paid tribute to the three winners of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. The president said this year’s award is a testament to the power of women. He also said he admires the determination and spirit of the newest group of Nobel laureates.

The president, who won the 2009 Peace Prize, saluted this year’s winners, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee, and Yemeni women’s rights activist Tawakkul Karman.

“When we empower women around the world, then everyone is better off. Countries and cultures that respect the contributions of women inevitably end up being more successful than those that do not,” said the president.

Obama met with President Sirleaf at the White House in May.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department renewed its call for China to free last year’s Peace Prize winner, jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo.

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