US sends troops to West Africa

The US has sent about 100 troops from Europe to west Africa to provide backup for a team assessing humanitarian needs in Liberia.

The troops arrived in Senegal and Sierra Leone last night, with three helicopters and a C130 Hercules transport plane as enhancement for the group already in Liberia, said Major Bill Bigelow.

“They will serve for personal recovery and emergency evacuation for the humanitarian team, or other aviation requirements as needed,” Bigelow said.

A team of about 15 US military specialists arrived in Liberia last week to assess humanitarian needs on the ground while Washington considers whether to send peacekeepers to the war-battered country.