Monrovians await aid

Desperate Liberians were yesterday hoping that badly needed food and medicines would soon make their way to Monrovia as West African peacekeepers prepared to take control of the capital's vital port from rebel fighters.

The main rebel faction said it would leave the port and withdraw to beyond the limits of the battered city, where at least 2000 people have died in recent fighting.

Rebels pledged to pull out of the port today and withdraw to the Po River bridge, about 12km from the outskirts of Monrovia.

A senior US defence official said small groups of marines could be flown into Monrovia in the days ahead to help with tasks such as humanitarian aid.