New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday praised Martti Ahtisaari, winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, as a "long-standing United Nations colleague and ally in the cause of peace, development and human rights."

Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland, has had an "exceptional career" as a UN troubleshooter in missions including the former Yugoslavia, Namibia and the Horn of Africa. His latest mission was heading negotiations to resolve the status of Kosovo, a former Serbian province.

"Whether working inside or outside the United Nations, as president of Finland or on the international stage, Mr Ahtisaari has never ceased to champion the principles and ideals of the organization," Ban said in a message congratulating the new Nobel Peace Prize winner who was named earlier Friday. (dpa)