President Bush tells Pentagon to position "appropriate" number of US troopsoff coast of war torn Liberia.
"The US role will be limited in time and scope asmultinational forces under the United Nations assume theresponsibility for peacekeeping and as the United Statesarranges a political transition in Liberia," White Housespokesman Mr Scott McClellan said in a written statement.The Liberian rebel group whichhas been battling forces loyal to President Charles Taylor inthe capital for a week, announced an immediate ceasefire today, the third time they have done so since June 17th.
Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD)said in a statement frontline commanders had been instructed tocease fire, but ordered to mount "a potent defensive posture indefending its present forward positions".
The announcement came after a day of heavy fighting whenmortar bombs rained down on the city centre, which is held byTaylor's forces, killing at least 14 and wounding scores more.
LURD forces, who launched a revolt to oust Taylor in 2000,have attacked Monrovia three times since the beginning of Junebut this assault has been the most sustained and brutal.
A hundred civilians were killed today when dozens ofmortars smashed into the city centre as the rebels battled tocross two key bridges into the heart of the coastal capital.
"This unilateral ceasefire is declared with due respect tothe international community and humanitarian concern," thestatement said, adding that LURD was prepared to receivepeacekeepers and fully cooperate with them.