UN goodwill ambassador Ricky Martin in Amman

"I promise I will become a spokesperson, if you allow me to, a spokesperson on your behalf. I will defend you and try to get rid of any stereotypes," the 33-year-old singer told youngsters from 16 Arab countries at a youth conference on Monday last in Amman.

"I have been a victim of stereotypes. I come from Latin America and to some countries, we are considered 'losers', drug traffickers, and that is not fair because that is generalising," said Martin, who was born in Puerto Rico.

"Those comments are borne out of ignorance. Sometimes we have to ignore the ignorant, but we also have to educate the ignorant. You have me here as a friend," he said.

Martin, who is a United Nations Children's Fund goodwill ambassador, said he wanted to get to know the youth and their cultures better.

He said he planned to do a concert tour of the Middle East and North Africa, including Jordan and the Palestinian territories, tentatively scheduled for May 2006.

Martin, whose hits include Maria, She Bangs and Livin' La Vida Loca, posed for photos with fans, at one point draping over his shoulders a traditional Arab kaffiyeh (headscarf).

Source: CNN Online