An Associated Press correspondent left Ethiopia Sunday after getting an expulsion order from the government.

Anthony Mitchell was told by Ethiopian officials on Saturday he had 24 hours to leave the country. The news agency says attempts to appeal the order went unanswered.

In a statement, the Ethiopian government accused Mitchell of reporting information "far from the truth" and tarnishing the country's image.

Associated Press managing editor Mike Silverman says the news agency will stand behind Mitchell, a British journalist he describes as aggressive and fair.

Ethiopia recently began a crackdown on the press and opposition groups, charging 129 people with treason and genocide. Among those charged are five Voice of America journalists in Washington.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.