U.S. Urges Madagascar Leader to Gain Population 'Confidence'

The White House Monday urged Madagascar's new leader to form a government with the "confidence" of the population, but declined to say whether it would extend him an invitation to a Washington summit.

Madagascar's new leader, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, was sworn in Saturday after winning elections last month.

The African Union said Monday it had lifted its four-year suspension of Madagascar following the democratic elections, the first since a 2009 coup by former strongman Andry Rajoelina.

"We encourage Madagascar to make continued progress on forming a new government whose members have the full confidence of the Malagasy public and the international community," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Lalley told Agence France Presse.

"We will review the AU's lifting of its suspension, as well as other developments, to make a determination on whether to issue an invitation" to an African summit in Washington early next August, he said.

U.S. President Barack Obama invited leaders of 47 African countries a week ago to participate in the summit.

Countries not on the list were Zimbabwe, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Egypt, Central Africa and Madagascar, which the United States justified by their suspension from the African Union or lack of good U.S. relations.