London, June 18: Seeking to boost its circulation
in times of recession, the Playboy magazine is set to feature
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in its latest edition.
Lula, the bearded 63-year-old Brazilian leader,
appears fully clothed in a photograph reproduced alongside the
magazine`s nude centrefold, a Rio de Janeiro dancer and model
who looks as if she is about to plant a kiss on the head of
state`s image, the Daily Telelgraph newspaper reported.
Brazil`s version of Playboy magazine, which has been
impacted by the worst economic recession in generations, is
seeking a circulation boost when the latest edition comes out
on Friday.
"Nobody knew they were going to use a photo of the
president in this shoot," a spokesman for the president was
quoted as saying by the British daily.
He said it was "a surprise". "Absolutely they did not
ask for permission," the spokesman underlined.
However, he did not not know whether the president
would take action against the publication.
The Brazilain leader is due to return to the country
tomorrow after a tour of Switzerland, Russia and Kazakhstan.
Lula was in Russia to attend the first summit meeting of
leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC).
Bureau Report
