Bono meets with Brazil's President Lula

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) shakes hand with Bono, the lead singer of Irish band U2, before their meeting at Granja do Torto official residence in Brazil. Picture / Reuters

BRASILIA, Brazil - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hosted singer and social activist Bono of the Irish rock band U2 for lunch today at his presidential retreat.

Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil, who became famous as a pop music star before joining the government, joined them.

Local media quoted Bono as saying he wanted to discuss fighting poverty with Lula.

U2, which performed in Brazil in 1998, will play two concerts on Monday and Tuesday in Sao Paulo.

"Bono for president of United Nations," read the sign of one of many fans waiting outside the presidential retreat for a glimpse of the rocker.

Bono has worked on poverty relief efforts and Lula's best known social programme is called Zero Hunger.

- REUTERS