Geldof launches Live 8 to urge end to poverty

LONDON - Bob Geldof has announced plans for five star-studded concerts aimed at pressuring world leaders into eradicating African poverty.

Twenty years after the Live Aid sensation, the man dubbed "Saint Bob" for organising the 1985 concert to save the starving in Ethiopia wants to influence the G8 group of industrialised nations which meets in Scotland in July.

"Here we are again," Geldof said, adding that he hoped to use Live 8 concerts "to tilt the world a little bit on in its axis in favour of the poor".

"We don't want your money, we want you, because every few seconds a child dies needlessly of extreme poverty," the Irish singer added.

"Eight world leaders in one room in Scotland on the 8th of July can save millions and millions of lives, but they'll only do it if enough people tell them to."

Five free concerts will be held on July 2 in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Philadelphia, organiser Harvey Goldsmith said.

The stars due to appear at the London show include Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney, REM, Scissor Sisters, Sting, Robbie Williams and U2.

Acts confirmed so far in Philadelphia include Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, P. Diddy, Stevie Wonder and actor Will Smith.

The concerts will coincide with a rally in Edinburgh organised by Make Poverty History, an umbrella group campaigning to cancel poor nations' debt and boost aid that plans to form a human chain around the Scottish city to raise awareness.

Live 8 organisers are hoping for one million spectators at the July 8 gigs and up to two billion viewers around the world.

Philadelphia officials said Live 8 and a separate Elton John AIDS concert on July 4 could attract up to three million people in the city alone.

"I don't think it will be a logistical problem for us," Mayor John Street told reporters in Philadelphia.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has lobbied to help Africa during Britain's presidency of the G8 this year and will host G8 leaders at a summit in Gleneagles in Scotland from July 6-8.

But campaigners fear discord between G8 nations on debt reduction and aid, combined with reluctance in Washington, will wreck Blair's ambitions.

- REUTERS