U2 lead singer Bono on hand in Ottawa for meetings with leaders

OTTAWA — U2 frontman Bono has arrived in Ottawa for meetings with Stephen Harper, as well as the prime minister's Liberal and NDP rivals.

Fresh off a show in Montreal, Bono arrived at the National Arts Centre in the city's downtown to discuss foreign aid with several non-governmental organizations.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, who's on hand to greet the singer, says Bono's star power will help to focus political attention on some overlooked issues.

Bono meets later today with Harper to talk about maternal and child health aid projects in Africa and elsewhere.

The Prime Minister's Office says the Irish singer and humanitarian activist requested the meeting with Harper.

Bono will also meet with NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, according to officials from both parties.

Harper has committed $3.5 billion toward the maternal and child health cause, his signature foreign-aid initiative.

It's aimed at reducing the number of deaths of newborns and their mothers in the developing world.

Bono last met with former prime minister Paul Martin more than a decade ago, when the two discussed foreign aid priorities of that time, which included efforts to combat the spread of HIV-AIDS in Africa.

The Canadian Press