Bono uses his fame to campaign on human rights issues

Fans gathered as the pair met for lunch at the president's official residence in Brasilia, the nation's capital.

Bono, who is well known for campaigning against global poverty, was expected to raise the issue with Lula.

The Irish band, who last played in Brazil in 1988, will play in Sao Paulo on Monday and Tuesday.

"Bono for president of United Nations," said one placard held by a fan waiting to see the singer.

Ambition

The Brazilian president has gained international recognition for his Zero Hunger programme, which aims to tackle the poverty affecting nearly a third of Brazil's 180m population.

Bono is not the first pop star to meet the president, who is simply known as Lula.

Rocker Lenny Kravitz gave an electric guitar worth $5,000 (�2,600) to the president last year to raise funds for his campaign to wipe out hunger in Brazil.