The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) closed shop on Tuesday as its mandate expires, with no hints of names on the Commission's list for prosecution, contrary to public speculations.

The event closes another chapter in the country's transition from a destructive past to peace, with warnings from key international actors that sustaianble peace and stability are unlikely without justice.

The TRC's tenure, at times marred with acrimony and divisions amongst Commissioners representing other interests, saw several victims of the war point accusing fingers at perpetrators, some holding influential positions in government and society. With few exceptions, many of the prime war actors denied the horrifying crimes linked to them, with some vowing resistance if and when they are listed for prosecution. Some of the rebel Generals and officials were elected to the Legislature in 2005, 'a development that narrowed the chances for the endorsement of the TRC's recommendations soon to be released. Some of the widely speculated steps towards justice are a war crimes court and the banning of certain individuals from public office. It is unlikely that the current Legislature, packed with former rebel officials, will act on such proposals.

TRC, for the past three years has been looking into the root causes of the civil conflict here from 1979 to 2003, amidst reported disunity amongst commissioners on one hand and controversies amongst members of the general public on the other, with some former warlords vowing to resist prosecution.

A visit at the offices of the Commission Tuesday saw Commissioners and other Executives shut behind closed doors perhaps fine tuning their final report scheduled to be released Tuesday night. Despite widespread media speculatios, the TRC has remained tightlip on who is on the list for prosecution or public office ban. Some of the officials or war actors called to offer public testimony of their alleged defied the Commission and refused to appear before. None was subpoenaed, despite the Commission having such powers.

"We are rounding up," TRC Public Affairs Director, Richmond Anderson told this paper Tuesday. "The Executive Secretary has asked all Department Heads to give infantry of documents in their various department," he said.

Mr. Anderson said the report, by right should have been released before Tuesday, June 30, but that the National Conference which communique will play a major role in the commissioners' final report caused part of the delay.

The report when completed will be presented to the National Legislature, according to the Act establishing the TRC.

Article X Section (44) of the TRC Act states: The report shall be detailed on all aspects of the TRC's work, investigation, hearings, finding and recommendation for prosecution.

The TRC also has the mandate to recommend amnesty, reparation, and restitution.

The TRC is expected to transition to the Independent National Human Rights Commission (INHRC), which is expected to implement the findings and recommendations of the TRC.

"An appeal has been made by the TRC's Executive Secretary for a skeleton staff to stay on for the transition," Anderson said.

TRC's Chairman, could not be reached for comment apparently due to the pressure leading to the presentation of the report.

But in an interview with the Vice of America ahead of its folding Tuesday, Cllr. Jerome Verdier said "The Liberian people should expect a comprehensive report from the commission based upon its findings and determination in consonance with the mandate of the commission as enshrined in its enabling legislation." He was quoted to have said that the final report will include a wide range of recommendations on issues the TRC determined to be the root causes of the Liberian conflict.

"The act requires that we address issues of impunity, that we make recommendations for reparations, we make recommendations for reconciliation, and that we make recommendations for prosecution," he said.

Some Liberians want justice from the brutality of the conflict and have been demanding the establishment of a War Crimes Court to prosecute perpetrators.

Others have argued that prosecution, especially of those alleged perpetrators who are in the current government could be at the expense of national reconciliation.

Verdier said Liberians should accept the commission's recommendations if they want to be faithful and respect the rule of law.

"No Liberia is above the law, and we have to begin a process of institutionalizing the supremacy of the rule of law in our country. Too many times we feel that because we are in authority we are above the law," he said.

In February this year, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf testified before the commission. She said she had endorsed former president Charles Taylor's rebellion against President Samuel Doe but had never been part of the rebel group.

The president admitted, however, to being a part of a group of exiled Liberians who lent their support to Mr. Taylor without being aware of his true intentions. There were unconfirmed reports late last week that the TRC might include in its final report that President Sirleaf be barred from standing for re-election because of her alleged role in the war.

Verdier said it would be unethical for him to pre-empt the findings of the commission.

"I don't know the source of the information. I wouldn't be surprised that people speculate about the outcome of our work, and I don't doubt that people have gone out of their way using all kinds of machination to get access to TRC information. But it would be seriously unethical for me to pre-empt the findings of the commission," he said.