Death threats sent to Liberia TRC

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has admitted she had backed ex-warlord Charles Taylor

Members of Liberia's truth commission have received phone death threats since recommending President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf be barred from office.

The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh says some of them have gone into hiding and turned off their mobile telephones.

In a report, the commission recommended a 30-year ban for senior politicians for their role in the civil war.

"Thanks for your report; but death awaits you," a text to commission chairman Jerome Verdier said.

"Your report has damaged our future," it continued.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up by President Johnson-Sirleaf after she was sworn into office in 2006.

It toured the country for three years, hearing the testimony of tens of thousands of people affected by the country's 14-year civil war.

'Not resigning'

Mr Verdier told the BBC he had wanted to remain silent about the threats because he did not "want to raise alarm".

But commission spokesman James Kpargor had called a radio talk-show to complain about the death threats.

Our correspondent says ex-warlords, former fighters and officials who were recommended for prosecution have been hitting back at the truth commission on the radio since the report was released.

Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf has admitted that she had backed former warlord Charles Taylor's rebellion 20 years ago, but a government spokesman said she would not resign.

"She is not going to resign. The president and the rest of us are reading the report. What I can tell you, is that President Sirleaf has tried to reconcile the country for the last two years," Laurence Bropleh told the AFP news agency.

Read your comments about the commission's recommendations