The pan-African body is seeking 460 million dollars (365 million euros) in cash, military equipment and logistical support to boost its current 2,200-strong truce monitoring operation to more than 7,700 by September, officials said.

NATO, the European Union, Canada and the United States have already indicated they are willing to assist with training, transport and supplies of materiel but are not all expected to come forward with specific offers at the meeting.

Officials said Canada, the United States and the European Union are expected to announce details of what they intend to supply, but NATO, which will be making its first foray into Africa with its contribution, will wait.

"I will not make a formal announcement today but we do intend to assist the AU in Darfur," said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

"This could take the form of air transport, training and command assistance," he told AFP ahead of the conference. "I hope the AU will be specific in asking for what it needs."

NATO and the EU agreed earlier this week to support the AU mission in Darfur where a two-year old conflict between rebels, government forces and pro-Khartoum militia has killed between 180,000 and 300,000 people and displaced more than two million.

The 53-member AU has already set out a lengthy wishlist for potential contributions from NATO, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations.

According to an internal document seen by AFP, the AU is seeking 116 armored personnel carriers, 24 armored ambulances, maintenance and recovery vehicles, 10 transport and six attack helicopters.

It also wants seven fixed-wing aircraft, including passenger and cargo planes and more than 850 assorted heavy, medium and lightweight transport trucks, four-wheel drive pick-ups, vans and regular cars.

In addition, the AU says it needs a huge amount of communications and office equipment, including 280 computers, 200 copiers, printers and cameras and 134 global positioning devices, according to the list.