President George W. Bush "has not yet made a decision as to whether or not the US will commit troops beyond logistics and support," Powell said after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.

"Most of that logistic effort will probably be by contractors...and not troop support, but we have an open mind on that as well," he said.

"But with respect to combat troops on the ground, that's still under consideration. The President is examining the option."

The Economic Community of West African States announced in Dakar Wednesday it will soon send some 1,300 Nigerian troops to Liberia, a force it said would grow to about 3,000.

The Bush administration has for weeks been torn over the question of embroiling US troops in yet another country's internal strife.

WAR.WIRE