US president George W Bush said earlier that he was still weighing whether to send US troops to Liberia but stressed that President Charles Taylor's departure would be the first step toward any solution there.
According to media reports, the US is preparing to send between 500 and 2,000 troops on a peacekeeping mission to Liberia. However the White House says it is still weighing up a decision.
The United Nations, Britain and France have urged the US to lead an international peacekeeping force in Liberia, where tens of thousands have fled the brutal civil war.
Speaking ahead of an official visit to Africa next week, US President George W Bush said the US was exploring options for ending the fighting between Liberian rebels and forces loyal to the President, Charles Taylor.
