Washington, Dec 13 : Irish rocker Bono has been honoured with the annual Nobel Man of Peace prize for his efforts to tackle African debt, poverty and disease.

The event, which was held on December 12, was hosted by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, report Contactmusic.

After receiving the accolade, the U2 star said: "This is a very big award for me, because let''s be honest this is as close as I am going to get - as close as a rock star is ever going to get to the Nobel Peace Prize.

"I am an over-awarded, over-rewarded rock star. You are the people who do the real work. So I am very, very pleased to be in such esteemed company."

Italian co-host Walter Veltroni, added, "We decided to nominate a man who has given a lot and will continue to give a great deal to the struggle for human rights, to the fight against poverty, with his music and with his words.

"He has put pressure on the world''s governments to reach the UN''s Millennium Goals. To give him the prize, is to say that fight will carry on." (ANI)