Liberian ministers were killed

Taylor has promised an inquiry into the disappearances

President Charles Taylor has confirmed that two junior Liberian ministers who disappeared in mysterious circumstances last month are dead.

John Yormie and Isaac Vaye went missing on 5 June at the same time as Mr Taylor said he had uncovered a coup attempt.

Mr Taylor is under pressure from the United States and other major powers to stand down following his indictment for war crimes in Sierra Leone.

The families of the dead Liberian ministers say the two were picked up by men claiming to have been sent by the head of the presidential security service.

Mr Vaye was deputy minister for public works and Mr Yormie was deputy national security minister.

Inquiry

Mr Taylor told parliament that the two were dead but did not give details.

Thousands of Liberians are displaced in schools and churches

Harrison Karnwea, Mr Yormie's cousin, said the family was told that the men had died in circumstances that needed investigating.

They are now demanding a full inquiry into their deaths.

Mr Taylor is also facing rebel groups who are trying to overthrow him.

The main rebel movement, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd), has launched two major assaults in the capital Monrovia in the past month.

Mr Taylor has agreed to step down but has said he will not take up an offer of asylum in Nigeria until an international peacekeeping force arrives in Liberia.

Lurd insists that Mr Taylor must leave before the peace force, which may be led by the United States, is in place.