Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock band U2, arrives at the 2003 MusiCares "Person of the Year" 13th annual Gala Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, in New York. Bill Clinton thinks Bono is a leader "we should follow in the new millennium." The former president praised the rock star Friday at the celebrity-packed reception. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Bill Clinton thinks Bono is a leader "we should follow in the new millennium."

The former president praised the lead singer of U2 Friday at a celebrity-packed reception honoring Bono's charitable work, most notably his efforts at promoting awareness of the AIDS epidemic and famine in Africa.

Clinton credited the rock star with helping close partisan gaps and getting Congress to pass a bill to provide debt relief for Africa.

"He did something I couldn't do: He convinced Jesse Helms (former Republican senator from North Carolina) to be for it," Clinton said, adding: "I love this man because he has a mind and a heart."

In accepting the award from the recording industry charity MusiCares, Bono talked about possible U.S. military action against Iraq.

"We do not need to make a martyr out of Saddam Hussein," said Bono, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize last year. "It is not as simple as war or no war. These are complex problems, and we need complex solutions."

Besides Clinton, others feting Bono were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, singer David Bowie and actor Robert De Niro.

Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige, B.B. King, Jimmy Fallon and Wynonna Judd were among those performing at the event.