JOHANNESBURG, July 10 (Reuters) - Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Thursday backed sanctions against Zimbabwe's leadership, in rare African support for the Western-backed move.

Many African leaders, led by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, oppose Western-sponsored moves for United Nations sanctions to punish President Robert Mugabe and his followers for his widely condemned re-election after a violent campaign.

But Johnson-Sirleaf told reporters during a visit to South Africa that sanctions would send a strong message of disapproval.

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