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Liberian President Charles Taylor says he will step down, if an international peacekeeping force is sent to end the four-year conflict in his country. Mr. Taylor's statement follows increasing pressure from the United States for him to leave Liberia and discussions with Nigeria about possibly offering him asylum.

In a speech Friday at the presidential palace in the capital, Monrovia, Mr. Taylor says he is now fighting to ensure a smooth transition.

But he insisted that international peacekeepers should be deployed in Liberia, before he steps down, saying this would make more sense. The U.S. government, which is considering leading such a force, has called on Mr. Taylor to resign before any deployment, and to give way to a transitional government.

Rebels who control most of Liberia, but not Monrovia, have said they would accept a U.S.-led force, if Mr. Taylor left Liberia.

Negotiations are continuing with Nigerian officials over the possibility of granting Mr. Taylor asylum. Nigerian officials quote Mr. Taylor as saying he wants to be given 40 days before leaving Liberia, but they are insisting the move should happen this month.

Mr. Taylor has been hesitant to accept such an offer because he also faces possible arrest on a war crimes indictment for his support of rebels in Sierra Leone.