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The U.S. military has sent a team of 41 marines to Liberia to reinforce security at the American embassy in the war-torn capital, Monrovia. A military spokesman says the force is expected to arrive later Monday.

On Sunday, rebel forces in Liberia continued their advance into the northern part of Monrovia, shelling a neighborhood surrounding the U.S. embassy and several humanitarian organizations.

But government troops pushed back rebel fighters from the group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, or LURD, at two key bridges on roads leading to the center of the city.

Rebels entered the Liberian capital on Saturday, after seizing control of a strategic bridge. Tens of thousands of people fled outlying districts to the city center to escape the fighting.

Liberian President Charles Taylor has vowed to fight the insurgents "to the last man."

The U.S. State Department Sunday expressed deep concern over the fighting in Liberia, calling all parties to immediately cease all military activities.

A State Department spokesman also urged leaders of other West African countries to use their influence to prevent further violence by controlling their borders and stopping the flow of weapons to Liberia.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.