Chirac congratulates Bono and Geldof

French President Jacques Chirac congratulated rocker Bob Geldof and Bono for their tireless campaigning against poverty in Africa, as they met at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland.

Chirac was impressed with former Boomtown Rat Geldof's organisation of 10 Live 8 concerts around the world, which aimed to raise awareness of poverty on the continent and said the gigs were particularly helping younger generations become aware of the issues.

The President's spokesperson quoted Chirac as saying: "It is a first step, modest but important because we open a door."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced the G8 leaders would be doubling aid to Africa to $50bn (€42bn) and had come to agreements over poverty and climate change.