The helicopter carrier USS Iwo Jima and the USS Carter Hall arrived off the Liberian coast over the weekend and was awaiting the arrival of a third amphibious warship deployed in support of peacekeeping efforts in the war-torn west African country, said the spokesman.

"The USS Nashville is still in route," said Lieutenant Dave Luckett.

About 3,000 marines are aboard the three ships, he said.

Despite US promises of support, Pentagon officials said no US forces took part in the movement of Nigerian peacekeepers Monday from Freetown, Sierra Leone to try to end a bloody four year civil war.

WAR.WIRE