Michelle Obama's hair-raising encounter with the First Lady of Cameroon

-

First Lady Michelle Obama did well to keep a straight face as she embraced the lion-maned wife of the Cameroon president.

Chantal Biya was sporting the gigantic orange hairdo on a tour last night hosted by Mrs Obama for the spouses of heads of government attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York

Mrs Biya teamed her signature style – known as the ‘banane’ - with a bright purple trouser suit and sky-high heels.

Her outfit marked quite a contrast to Mrs Obama’s dressed-down style as they visited the Stone Barns Centre in Pocantico Hills, New York.

The stop was part of Mrs Obama’s healthy nutrition program and was followed by a seasonal lunch featuring produce from the farm and the White House garden.

Careful now....... Mrs Obama is nearly engulfed by the orange mane of hair

Mrs Biya was joined by spouses from Mongolia, Swaziland and Latvia, as she toured the premises.

Meanwhile, her husband Paul is being sued by a Cameroon opposition leader for failing to set up elections to replace dead members of parliament.

The challenge comes amid rising political tensions in the central African state ahead of 2011 presidential elections in which Biya, one of the continent's longest serving rulers, is expected to seek another term.

Dolled up: Mrs Biya's heels and hair combine to make for a significant difference in height - and brightness - between the two women