LIMA (AFP) - The mayor of Peru's third-largest city inaugurated a book fair by saying he does not like to read.

"People close me to know that I do not read, that I never write. But I took time last night to go over some papers and be able to explain what a book fair is," said the mayor of Trujillo, Cesar Acuna.

His words Friday as reported by Peruvian media drew a mixture of laughter and whispers among the shocked audience.

"At the book fair, one must read," said Mr Acuna, who founded a university and owns a first-division football team in Peru. He called the book fair a "union between the people and culture."