(Credit: Statsministerens kontor/Flickr)

The iPad might be a fine alternative to a laptop for simple tasks, but can it really be relied upon to run an entire country? Norway Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg certainly thinks so.

Stoltenberg–stranded in New York City because of a volcanic eruption in Iceland entering European airspace and disrupting travel–has been using the iPad to get his daily work done, according to a CNN report. The network said that it spoke with the prime minister, who said it’s business as usual for his government.

“It’s very normal for a prime minister to travel abroad, so this is not different from the other travels, it’s just lasts some days more than expected,” Stoltenberg told CNN. “We have the Internet, the mobile phone. I also use an iPad, which is excellent.”

Stoltenberg plans to get back to his country on Saturday, but he will be forced to travel in a roundabout way to do so. Until then, it seems that his iPad could be his best friend as he attempts to keep his government running amid an unlikely roadblock.

For Apple’s part, the company could use Stoltenberg’s iPad use for its own gain. What better way for Apple to promote the iPad as a mobile companion than to say that it can help a prime minister run his country?

Related posts:

1. Prime Mover 2009 Hollywood Movie Watch Online
2. Broadband tax 'to be made law'
3. Reasons people gave for buying the iPad