An advance team of peacekeepers led by Nigeria has arrived in the civil war-hit Liberian capital, Monrovia. On Saturday, thousands of marines on board three warships are expected to arrive off the West African coast — but it is not clear if they will be sent ashore. More than one million people are trapped inside the capital — desperate for help. Food is running out and the fighting is continuing. Hundreds of civilians have been been killed in the city following fighting between government troops and rebels trying to topple President Charles Taylor over the past two weeks. Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said it was "too early" to say whether US marines would take part on the ground if requested by the peacekeeping force. President Bush has repeated demands that a ceasefire be in place and President Taylor gone before any US involvement.
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