LAGOS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States embassy compound in Liberia's capital Monrovia was hit on Monday by a mortar shell, according to reports reaching here from Monrovia.

　　U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Terrence Dudley was quoted as saying that no one was injured since the embassy personnel took shelter in the basement of the main embassy building after over a dozen shells fell earlier outside of the compound.

　　But "the U.S. embassy did incur one hit on the general store," Dudley said.

　　The shelling reportedly interrupted the deployment of U.S. special force sent to strengthen security of the compound as a result of escalation of fighting by rebels to oust President Charles Taylor. End