Bono spent yesterday lobbying world leaders in Scotland ahead of the G8 Conference.

In a string of high-powered meetings yesterday, Bono, sometimes joined by fellow Make Poverty History activists Bob Geldof and Richard Curtis, had discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, German Chancellor Gerard Schroeder, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush.

The leaders of the richest eight countries are meeting at Gleneagles in Scotland over the next three days and tackling poverty in Africa tops the agenda.

At 'Live 8 The Final Push', a Make Poverty History concert in Edinburgh last night 60,000 fans gathered to show their support. Bono was on hand with a box containing the electronic details of 38million people who have joined the Live 8 campaign, pledging their support for the poorest countries.

'In this box are 38 million people who are ready to go to work on this issue, and that's just the Live 8 campaign. ' he explained. 'When you add to that 157 million people who signed up for the global action against poverty in 75 countries, that¹s the most powerful mandate in the history of
mandates.
'I hope you don't mind but I gave them your permission to spend your money ending extreme poverty in our lifetime.'

Bono then introduced former South African president Nelson Mandela who delivered an address on a giant TV screen.

'Sometimes,' he told a hushed audience. 'It falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation. You have that opportunity. 'Let¹s work to make poverty history this year. Then we can all stand with our heads held high.'

Photo : Reuters