The first Nigerian peacekeeping troops arrive in Liberia, Aug. 4, 2003. (AP)
West African Peacekeepers in Liberia Story aired: Monday, August 04, 2003
The first West African peacekeepers arrived in Liberia this morning, deploying in torrential rain outside the capital city, Monrovia.
The 300 Nigerian troops are the advance guard of a force that will eventually total some 3,000 soldiers. U.S. Marines remain on board three ships off the coast of Liberia. For the moment, rebel armies remain in control of Liberia's two main ports and food supplies are said to be critically short.
Meanwhile, Liberian President Charles Taylor has once again pledged to leave office, now promising to hand over power next week to a successor of his own choosing.
Nicole Itano of the Christian Science Monitor joins Here and Now to discuss Liberia.
