MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Newspapers in Liberia have printed black front pages after a government official was accused of threatening journalists.

The director of the presidential security service reportedly told a journalist: "Be careful, because you have your pens and we have our guns."

The security chief, Othello Warrick, later issued a statement saying he has no intention to endanger the lives of any journalists. The local journalist association known as the Press Union of Liberia says it is "outraged and alarmed."

Radio and TV stations also are protesting against the government by suspending broadcasts for two hours daily beginning Friday.

Liberia's information minister says the West African country has done everything possible to ensure press freedom and freedom of speech.