A renowned Brazilian tribal chief said Wednesday on the sidelines of UN climate talks that he would not hesitate to give the president a "talking-to" if he ignored concerns over oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva openly backed the controversial drilling project which began in October when oil giant Petrobras secured a license after a years-long battle.

Raoni Metuktire, the nonagenarian leader of the Kayapo people who rose to fame in the 1980s campaigning against deforestation with British musician Sting, is attending COP30 talks in the Amazon city of Belem.

"I support President Lula, but he must listen to us... He must respect us," Raoni told journalists after taking part in the opening of the People's Summit -- a parallel event which

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