U.S. Deploys 41 Marines to U.S. Embassy in Monrovia

At the request of the U.S. Ambassador in Monrovia, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has ordered additional security personnel to the United States embassy. The Secretary has ordered the dispatch of up to an additional 41 FAST (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team) members from Rota, Spain to Monrovia.

Meanwhile, according to a story on Fox News, the U.S. Embassy in Liberia's capital was hit by mortar fire today, as the 41 Marines arrived.