Mandela celebrating 90th birthday

LONDON, June 23 (UPI) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela arrived Monday in Britain to attend a series of events to mark his 90th birthday.

Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for leading the campaign against apartheid in South Africa, will be honored Friday at an outdoor concert in Hyde Park, The Times of London reports.

The concert featuring Queen, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox and Shirley Bassey is being staged on the anniversary of a Free Mandela concert staged in London 20 years ago to demand his release from prison.

Proceeds from the 90th birthday event will be donated to Mandela's AIDS charity.

On Wednesday, the man who served as South Africa's first black president will serve as host for a dinner party attended by celebrities and world leaders including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Among those invited is talk show host Oprah Winfrey and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.