US Navy withdraws from Liberia

Sep 30, 2003
Author: P&S

US Navy ships, which have been on station off the coast of Liberia helping stabilise the security situation in the country torn apart by 14 years of civil war, have begun withdrawing, says the Voice of America.

Two of the three vessels sent to the area during August along with approximately 2,300 Marines, sailed from Liberian waters for Spain at the weekend leaving a sole warship, the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima to follow within days. With the position now well in hand following the arrival of about 3,500 West African soldiers, the first of about 15,000 UN peacekeepers, the US administration believes its mission has been accomplished.

The only US troops remaining in the country will be a small force of 60 to provide security for the US Embassy in Monrovia.