Bono defends Madonna

Nov 13, 2006, 12:20 GMT

Bono has defended Madonna's decision to adopt a Malawian baby.

The U2 frontman says the 'Hung Up' star - who has been granted an interim adoption of one-year-old baby David - has every right to offer an underprivileged child a home and she should be commended for her actions, not criticized.

He told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Madonna should be applauded for helping to take a child out of the worst poverty imaginable and giving him a better chance in life.

"Baby David is lucky to have been adopted by someone who can give him a chance of survival in this world and I don't think it's fair that people are criticising her."

The rocker - who is well known for his humanitarian work in Africa - also insisted that the situation is so desperate in the Third World continent that parents are willing to give up their children if there is a chance for them to have a better life.

He added: "About 20 years ago when my wife Ali and I went to Africa a man who quite clearly loved his child came up to us and begged us to take him.

"It is heartbreaking but he asked us to take his child home with us because he couldn't feed him. This happens all the time in parts of Africa where unthinkable poverty means people simply can't feed their children."

(C) BANG Media International