[FACTBOX] Obama prize gets mixed response in Middle East

Following are quotes from people interviewed by Reuters on the street in Iraq, Iran and Gaza to the award of a Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Iraq

 For the first time, we see a U.S. president taking a respectful approach towards Islam and Muslims. The approach is different from those who preceded him. He has a peaceful vision for the world 

Sarmad Abbas

Issam al-Khazraji, a day labourer in Baghdad:

"He doesn't deserve this prize. All these problems, Iraq, Afghanistan, have not been solved yet. There are still forces going from Iraq to Afghanistan.

"The man of 'change' hasn't changed anything yet."

Sarmad Abbas, 31-year-old owner of a supermarket in Baghdad:

"He absolutely deserves it. At least his policy is completely different from his predecessor.

He's showing readiness to make peace both in the Middle East and in the world.

For the first time, we see a U.S. president taking a respectful approach towards Islam and Muslims. The approach is different from those who preceded him. He has a peaceful vision for the world.

For us Iraqis, at least he has shown readiness to withdraw his forces from Iraq, and I believe he's going to do that."

Jenan Ali, 39-year-old housewife in a Baghdad supermarket:

"He doesn't deserve it. What has he done so far? He has done nothing for the world. The U.S. is still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He'd done nothing for Palestine.

The U.S. is at war everywhere. So far, he does nothing but make promises."

Khalid Hassan Madhi, a freelance journalist in Baghdad's Doura neighbourhood, once the scene of a fierce battle between al Qaeda and Shi'ite militias:

"He doesn't deserve this prize because he hasn't done anything yet. He has worked on top of the ruins of a criminal government, but he hasn't corrected the direction. So far we haven't seen his peace programme.

Giving the prize should not be not based on principles or desires, but on action."

Zuhair Meti, 34, standing in front of his hardware store:

"Maybe he's done something good for America, but for the world and especially for the Iraqis he's done nothing so far.

It's a politicised issue."

Iran

 I think he deserves it because although he has no concrete achievements in that field, he is so committed to promoting it. I think the prize is mostly for his good intentions rather than good deeds 

Neggeen Salehi

Firouzeh Rahman, housewife, 48:

"He's a nice man but he has nothing as yet to deserve that. He has so far mostly just talked peace and human welfare. The Noble Peace Prize should go to a person whose words are accompanied with action."

Esmaiel Safie, male retiree, 82:

"He deserves to win 100 peace prizes, not just one, because he's an extraordinarily good man."

Neggeen Salehi, 23, female university student:

"I think he deserves it because although he has no concrete achievements in that field, he is so committed to promoting it. I think the prize is mostly for his good intentions rather than good deeds."

Gaza

 He does not deserve anything. He deserves to be brought to trial just like the Jews on charges of war crimes. He backs Israel and whoever backs Israel is a partner in the crime 

Jehad Al-Rayes

Engineer Nour Al-Rayes:

Said he was shocked to hear "that such a prize was given to a person who's done nothing so far."

"It is disappointing. We had hoped he would support the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause especially after the destructive war on Gaza."

Jehad Al-Rayes, 55:

"This is a strange."

He does not deserve anything. He deserves to be brought to trial just like the Jews on charges of war crimes. He backs Israel and whoever backs Israel is a partner in the crime.

What peace? We had enough of this farce."