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Liberian President Charles Taylor has renewed a pledge to leave office, but only if a U.S.-led peacekeeping force is deployed in the war-torn West African country. Mr. Taylor told church leaders Friday that an international force should be in place in Liberia before he steps down to ensure stability in the country.

A White House spokesman says Mr. Bush is encouraged by Mr. Taylor's offer, but the Liberian president must back up his words with deeds and leave the country quickly. Mr. Taylor has reneged on earlier promises to give up power. The White House spokesman says a final decision on U.S. intervention in Liberia has yet to be made. He says a team of military experts is being sent to Liberia to assess what is needed to stabilize the country.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly offered asylum to Mr. Taylor, but it is not clear, if the Liberian leader has accepted the offer. Earlier, West African military chiefs meeting in Ghana pledged 3,000 troops for a peacekeeping force in Liberia. They expressed hope that the United States, South Africa and Morocco would sent enough additional soldiers to bring the peacekeeping force to five thousand strong. Heavily armed rebels are camped on the edges of the Liberian capital, Monrovia. They waged an assault on the city last week, but forces loyal to Mr. Taylor pushed them back. More than 500 civilians were killed in fighting between rebels and soldiers, and thousands of others fled their homes.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.