Recording artist Wyclef Jean is shown in July 23 TV appearance. He was in Haiti Thursday to launch his bid for president. (Richard Drew/Associated Press)

Haitian-born hip hop star Wyclef Jean began his campaign for president Thursday in Port-au-Prince, surrounded by cheering supporters.

Jean flew into Haiti to file the papers he needs to run for president after declaring his intention to run on a Miami radio station earlier in the day.

In the evening, he told CNN's Larry King Live he wants to focus on education, job creation, health care and security in the earthquake-ravaged country.

'God has been good to me and financial problems I do not have.'—Wyclef Jean

"With what our people have suffered, political instability, coups after coups d'état, I feel that me running, it brings a neutral situation," Jean said, speaking via satellite and cellphone with a group of supporters behind him.

"Meaning that Wyclef Jean can sit with any political party, have a conversation. I'm coming in neutral."

Jean, who was born in Haiti and moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., at age nine, says he was recruited by young Haitians and feels he can count on their support.

"'Now that our country has toppled, it's a chance to rebuild from the bottom up, and I don't even say I'm trying to be president. I'm being drafted by the youth of Haiti," he said.

The former rapper with the Fugees is expected to be one of a dozen people running for the top position in Haiti on Nov. 28. Current President Rene Preval cannot run again.

Jean said he supports the U.S. and UN vision for rebuilding Haiti's economy after the Jan. 12 earthquake.

That plan encourages private investment in factories, agriculture and other areas. Former U.S. president and UN special envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton is in the country this week promoting proposals for jobs in tourism and the garment industry, as well as building the capacity of Haitian farmers.

"President Clinton is focusing on the garment industry and all that. I think that's great. But also agriculture is involved," Jean said. "We can work both components at the same time."

'Everything is paid up'

Jean also fielded tough questions about some accounting irregularities with his charity Yele Haiti, which raised $9 million in donations for Haiti after the earthquake.

He denies ever taking money from the organization and said he stepped down as chairman Thursday to concentrate on his run for president.

He said a report by the Smoking Gun that alleges he owes $2.1 million to the U.S. government in back taxes is inaccurate.

"Everything is paid up. God has been good to me and financial problems I do not have," he said.

Actor Sean Penn, who has been managing an earthquake-survivor camp in the Haitian capital since the spring, has been critical of Jean for not spending enough time in Haiti since the earthquake.

He also accused the singer of financial mismanagement of his charity.

"I just want Sean Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian, born in Haiti, and I've been coming to my country ever since [I was] a child," Jean said.

"He might just want to pick up the phone and meet, so he fully understands the man."

With files from The Associated Press