US AV-8B Harrier jets and helicopters based on amphibious warships off the coast will provide cover for the transfer of the port area from rebel forces to the ECOMIL peacekeeping force, the officials said.

General Norton Schwartz, operations director of the Joint Staff, said the US troops will include a 150-strong rapid reaction force that will be deployed on land, as well as Navy SEAL commandos, engineers and Marine liaison troops embedded with the West African force.

WAR.WIRE