Severe punishment awaits Liberians caught hawking pictures of Osama bin Laden, chief suspect in last week's terror attacks on the United States, police in the West African country warned recently.

　　Since the attacks last Tuesday, entrepreneurs have been running off pictures of the Muslim zealot for sale to eager buyers in the capital Monrovia -- driven more from fascination than support for his cause.

　　“Anybody who is caught will be dealt with as a terrorist,”said a statement from Liberia's police director, Paul Mulbah.

　　Personal links remain strong between the United States and Liberia, which was founded by freed American slaves in 1847.

　　Muslims make up about a fifth of Liberia's more than three million people.