"I think this will promote women's causes worldwide, including Arab and Muslim women's issues," said Rana Husseini, a prominent women's activist and journalist in Jordan.

"I hope Ebadi will become the envoy of peace in the world and in particular in our region, which suffers an enormous crisis".

Ebadi (56) is the first Muslim woman to win the prize.

Karim Lahidji, president-in-exile of the Iranian League for Human Rights and vice president of the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, said the prize was a "great victory" for democrats and rights groups in Iran, which is dominated by conservative Muslim clerics.

"I'm happy that the modern world ... recognises this struggle and gives her this recognition," said Lahidji, who has known Ebadi for 40 years.

Last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, issued a statement calling Ebadi's work "an inspiration to people in Iran and around the world".

"She proves that one person, standing on principle, can make a positive difference in the lives of many," Carter said.

Hisham Kassem, head of the Egyptian Organization of Human Rights, said the award was overdue recognition of the work of women activists in the Middle East.

- Nampa-AP

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