U.S. troops ordered to Liberia

U.S. troops are moving toward the coast of Liberia to support the arrival of a West African peacekeeping force after 26 Liberians were killed in mortar fire in the besieged capital, Monrovia.

US President George W. Bush stopped short of saying the Americans would participate directly in a peacekeeping mission.

Pentagon officials said the only major US troop movement was the dispatching of three Navy ships carrying hundreds of Marines to the waters off the Liberian coast.

It was not clear whether the Marines would go ashore. The ships were expected to reach the Liberian coast within several days.

Mr Bush said he expected the United Nations to relieve the troops "in short order."

Liberians have been begging for US help. International relief workers have been pressing the White House for action, saying that a delay in sending in peacekeepers made it impossible to help victims of the fighting.

Monrovia's residents have pleaded for almost two months for US troops to come to their rescue as rebels pressed home their three-year war to drive warlord-turned-President Charles Taylor from power in Liberia, a country founded more than 150 years ago by freed American slaves.

A few weeks ago, even false rumours of US Marines landing were enough to set off joyous celebrations, with dancing and singing in the streets.

There was no such outbreak of joy in the numbed city.

"Until we see it with our own eyes, US troops on the ground for peace - then we will believe they are here for us," said Sylvester Blamo, one of thousands sheltering near the US embassy, hoping for some safety through proximity to the heavily-guarded compound.

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