Thousands of civilians and gunmen pillaged oil and sacks of grain from Monrovia's port Wednesday ahead of rebels' promised withdrawal, and the United States pledged 200 troops to bolster West African peacekeepers. A ship laden with humanitarian aid bobbed offshore, ready to deliver food and supplies to civilians starving and facing disease in the besieged capital, where many have subsisted on leaves. After Taylor's departure, rebels promised U.S. and other officials they would withdraw from the port and the rest of Monrovia by noon Thursday. If that happens, aid workers could begin bringing in supplies within days, U.N. deputy emergency relief coordinator Carolyn McAskie said.