At least 11 civilians were killed in an early morning attack on Friday on the diplomatic quarter of Liberia’s capital Monrovia, where the US embassy is situated, journalists reported.
At least a dozen mortar shells rained down on Mamba Point — where the British and French embassies are also located ‒ hitting houses and sending projectiles into the nearby Atlantic.
Dozens were killed on Monday in another mortar attack on Mamba Point, as rebels and forces loyal to President Charles Taylor battled for control of the city center.
The US embassy in Monrovia was hit by at least two mortar shells during the attack. A contingent of special forces from the US marines arrives on Monday to bolster protection at the embassy, where displaced Liberians and staff have gathered for security.
Hundreds of civilians have died in the week of renewed fighting in Monrovia between Taylor’s men and the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy. – Sapa-AFP