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At least 60 people have been killed in mortar fire in the Liberian capital, where rebel forces are fighting to overthrow President Charles Taylor.

Heavy fighting raged throughout Monrovia Monday, with rebels firing dozens of mortar shells during a full assault on the city. At least one mortar shell hit the U.S. embassy compound in a northern suburb.

Later, Liberian citizens frustrated with a lack of U.S. intervention in the fighting lined up 18 dead bodies on the street outside the American embassy.

U.S. President George Bush says he is keeping a close watch on the situation. He told reporters at his ranch in Texas on Monday that he is working with the United Nations and other West African countries to find a way to end the bloodshed.

Mr. Bush did not go into specifics, but he indicated he had not yet reached a decision on the size of a U.S. force that might be sent to assist an international peacekeeping force.

Meanwhile Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan asked the United States to support the peacekeeping troops promised by the Economic Community of West African States. He also urged Washington to announce its decision "before it is too late."

The request came hours after 41 U.S. Marines arrived in Liberia from Spain to reinforce security at the U.S. embassy compound. The marines also helped evacuate 23 people from the area.

No casualties were reported in the embassy shelling. But three people - an American journalist and two Liberian guards - were wounded in a barrage of shells that hit just outside the diplomatic compound.

At least 10,000 Liberians have taken refuge from the fighting at the compound.

It was not clear whether the U.S. embassy was under intentional attack, or whether Liberian troops or rebel forces were responsible for the shelling.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.