August 14, 2003
Rebel forces have handed control of the port in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, to West African peacekeepers. Although much of the food in the port's warehouses has been looted during two months of fighting in Monrovia, deliveries of badly-needed food, water and medicines can now be stepped up.
Earlier on Thursday, the first wave of some 200 US Marines arrived at Liberia's main international airport to back up the peacekeeping operation. Lorry-loads of Nigerian troops entered rebel-held territory, where they were greeted by thousands of people cheering, dancing and punching the air.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Monrovia says the Nigerian-led Ecomil force will stop government fighters moving in as the rebels withdraw. After leaving the port area, the rebels are expected to move out to the River Po on the city's outskirts.
Chaos continued for a second day in the port area itself, as rebel fighters fired guns in a vain attempt to stop thousands of people looting food from warehouses there. Our correspondent says there is very little food left in United Nations warehouses.
The US troops are supposed to help the Nigerian-led peacekeepers secure the port and deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to the city. Meanwhile, new interim President Moses Blah has arrived in neighbouring Ghana for a meeting with rebel leaders.
Years of prayers
Rebel official Sekou Fofana formally handed control of the port to Ecomil commander Brigadier-General Festus Okonkwo in a ceremony also attended by US Ambassador John Blaney. "We have no reason to doubt the credibility of the Americans, and we have no reason to doubt the credibility of the peacekeepers, so we will leave as we have said. I'm leaving right now," Mr Fofana said.
Nine helicopters carrying scores of US troops landed at Robertsfield airport, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from central Monrovia on Thursday morning. "This operation today is going to be an important one," Mr Blaney said at the airport. "You are going to see American boots on the ground, and a firm commitment to uphold humanitarian concerns in this country."
Liberians have been calling for the US to intervene since the fighting reached Monrovia in June. "I am so happy. All these years we've been praying for America to come," said Randolph Eggley, a 51-year-old worker at the airport. "Today maybe peace will begin."
The US has repeatedly insisted that the main peacekeeping role in Liberia would be played by Ecomil, which currently consists of less than 800 Nigerian troops. But following talks with the Nigerians, the US agreed to provide some logistical and combat support.
Famished
The rebels' presence has stopped humanitarian aid reaching hundreds of thousands of famished refugees in Monrovia. An emergency relief co-ordinator in Liberia, Carolyn McAskie, said the World Food Programme had a supply ship anchored offshore, as well as food aid in the region ready to be flown in. But she warned that more peacekeepers were needed.
Another battalion of Nigerian troops is due to arrive in Monrovia in the coming days and the Pentagon said the aim was for the US reaction force to stay in Liberia for a short a time as possible.
Liberian President Charles Taylor flew into exile in Nigeria on Monday as part of attempts to end years of conflict. Interim President Moses Blah - Mr Taylor's former deputy - is set to rule Liberia until October. Lurd rebels have rejected his appointment but say they will respect the ceasefire.
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