Obama in Oslo for the Nobel prize presentation

US President Barack Obama has arrived in Oslo for the Nobel prize presentation. He will receive his Nobel peace prize medal later on Thursday.

US President Barack Obama signs the Nobel  guest book as first lady Michelle Obama,  behind, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel  Committee, Thorbjoern Jagland, left, and  committee member, Sissel Roenbeck, right,  look on during a Nobel signing ceremony at the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Scanpix/Terje Bendiksby, Pool)

Obama is in the unusual position of accepting the peace prize a week after he ordered 30,000 more troops to fight the war in Afghanistan. In his Nobel speech, Obama is expected to explore his thinking about war, security and the pursuit of peace. He is also expected to spell out the role of American leadership and the responsibilities of all nations.

The president departed from Washington with his wife Michelle on Wednesday night. He was to meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg a short time after arriving.