The official, who asked not to be identified, said there were no plans to send troops ashore but the US warships were positioned close to shore in case their assistance becomes necessary.

"People in Monrovia can see the ships right off the shore, I would think that would be a pretty powerful message," the official said.

Taylor handed over power to Vice President Moses Blah at a ceremony at the presidential palace attended by African leaders anxious to ensure a smooth transition after 14 years of almost uninterrupted war.

The USS Iwo Jima, Carter Hall and Nashville were dispatched to Liberia earlier this month with 3,000 marines to support West African peacekeepers arriving in the country.

A small contingent of marines went ashore last week to act as a liaison between the fleet of amphibious assault ships and the West African peacekeepers.

"Right now the president hasn't made any decision to employ them (the marines) for other than what we're doing right now," the official said.

"We've repositioned (them), right now it is there in the event any further us assistance is required, but no decision has been made," he said.

WAR.WIRE