The United States has introduce a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council authorizing deployment of a multinational force in Liberia. It would give a UN mandate to peacekeepers from West Africa or from other countries, such as the United States. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said: "We also intend to make a proposal to the General Assembly, The Security Council for deployment of a peacekeeping force, and we may see a resolution very shortly being put to the Council. The Nigerians of ECOWAS should indicate to us today what the d-day should be for the deployment of forces." A team of military experts from the US, Britain and five West African statesflew into Liberia's besieged capital Monrovia yesterday. Washington has repeated its demand that President Charles Taylor, who has been indicted by a UN-backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone, quit Liberia as part of a peace plan. The country's second city Buchanan fell to rebels on Monday, tightening the noose around Taylor. There have been fierce exchanges of gunfire at two strategic bridges offering access to central Monrovia from the rebel-held port. Conditions in Monrovia are said to be appaling. Water and food supplies are running dangerously low and disease is spreading. **PHOTO CAPTION*** U.N. Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan speaks at a news conference in New York, July 30, 2003. (Mike Segar/Reuters)