HEILIGENDAMM, Germany (AP) — President Bush is a celebrity in his own right, but he took time Wednesday to gaze at some stars.

Bush met with Irish rocker and anti-poverty activist Bono, music producer Bob Geldof and Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour before the start of the G-8 summit of major industrialized nations.

"Hanging out with good company, aren’t I?" Bush said before retiring inside the Kempinski Grand Hotel Heiligendamm.

Bush apparently had Bono on his mind. Earlier, he shouted to aide: "Where’s Bono? Bono for president."

Anti-poverty campaigners such as Bono, frontman for the band U2, have pressed summit leaders to meet commitments to increase aid to poorer countries.

Bono has made that case in Washington, too.

At last year’s National Prayer Breakfast, he told Bush and members of Congress that it’s unjust to keep poor people from selling their goods while singing the virtues of the free market.

At the time, Bush praised him as a "doer." "You’re an amazing guy, Bono. God bless you," Bush said.

© 2007 The Associated Press.

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