ANTANANARIVO, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Madagascan High Transitional Authority President Andry Rajoelina left here on Saturday morning for a three-day visit to Libya at the invitation of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi.

    Rajoelina told the press at the airport before leaving that he was going to Tripoli to explain the truth on political development in his country to counter the misinformation spread by his predecessor Marc Ravalomanana.

    Accompanied by his wife Mialy Rajoelina and senior officials of his transitional authority, Rajoelina left the country at 9:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT).

    Libya is the first African country to recognize Rajoelina shortly after the 34-year-old former Antananarivo mayor was legalized by the High Constitutional Court as president of the Indian Ocean island country on March 18.

    But the message of congratulation sent by Ghaddafi angered other African countries which condemned the power transfer in Madagascar as unconstitutional and a coup.