Marines leave Liberia

MONROVIA, Liberia - A 150-strong Marine force withdrew to warships off the Liberian capital's coast on Sunday, ending significant U.S. military deployment on the ground after just 11 days and disappointing many Liberians.

The Marines said American troops would be in better position on the warships to respond to any flareups in Liberia's week-old peace accord, meant to end 14 years of conflict that has claimed more than 150,000 lives.

Liberians, watching U.S. military helicopters whir out of sight in the unannounced departure, spoke fearfully of being deserted.

"They're forsaking us," said 22-year-old Emmanuel Slawon, watching the last U.S. helicopter sortie fly out of Liberia's main airport, dangling a Humvee in a giant sling.

"We wish they'd stay until peace would come," Slawon said. "Their presence here puts fear in our fighters - it makes them think if they carry on hostilities, they'll be handled by the Americans."

The U.S. warships remain off Liberia, appearing in and out of view off a coast lined with black rocks. The United States has not said when they will pull away.

Liberian Defense Minister Daniel Chea said fighting persisted Sunday near the Guinea border. It was impossible to verify the allegation. State radio claimed up to 1,000 people were killed but Chea said he knew nothing about that.

President Bush put the rapid-reaction force on the ground Aug. 14, under pressure internationally to intervene in Liberia.

About 100 U.S. troops remain on the ground - 70 guarding the U.S. Embassy, and 30 acting as liaisons with West African peacekeepers, Lt. Col. Tom Collins, spokesman for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit force, told the Associated Press as he left.

The decision "reflects the situation on the ground here," Collins said. "We're here to support (the West Africans), but we can do it better from the ship," he added.

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