Baroness Elizabeth Symons, a junior Foreign Office minister, said that Britain "strongly supports a comprehensive negotiated peace process, leading to a ceasefire, transitional government and democratic elections" in the west African country.

"And I hope that all sides in the conflict will participate in that political process."

In a statement, Symons added: "A US commitment is important, and shows the international community's willingness to engage with Africa in order to tackle conflict.

"I am pleased by President Bush's decision to position appropriate military capabilities off the coast of Liberia in order to support the deployment of an ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) force once it is generated."

ECOWAS is expected to decide Monday on sending a west African peacekeeping contingent to Liberia, where hundreds of civilians have died in murderous clashes between rebel and government forces.

Bush also reiterated his calls for Liberian president Charles Taylor to leave the country.

The former warlord faces a rebel advance in his own country's devastating four-year war, with the rebels now controlling four-fifths of the country.

Symons added in her statement: "I know that my colleague, Chris Mullin, the minister for Africa, who is returning today from the region, will share my gratitude to ECOWAS, Nigeria and Ghana for their unceasing efforts to find a solution to the Liberian crisis."

WAR.WIRE