Heavy fighting engulfed the Liberian capital today, killing at least 50 people as mortars barraged the city in an all-out battle between rebels and forces of President Charles Taylor.A shell hit a house in one neighbourhood, killing 18 people inside, emergency workers at the scene said. Another 27 Liberians were killed in other attacks on Monday, hospital officials said. Shells also hit in and around the heavily fortified, two-storey, US Embassy compound. Helicopters swooped in bringing US Marines to secure the American Embassy, as thousands of Liberians stood outside the compound asking when troops would come to protect them.The aircraft dropped off Marines wearing green camouflage, body armour and helmets and took off carrying between 25 and 30 foreign aid workers and some foreign journalists.The US said 41 additional troops belonging to a naval ‘‘anti-terrorism security team’’ based in Spain, will join the Marines currently guarding the US installation. Meanwhile, President George W. Bush said on Monday the US was working with regional nations to determine when they will be prepared to move peacekeeping troops into Liberia in the face of a deteriorating situation there.Bush also said the United States was working with the UN to get a ceasefire renewed in Liberia.
