The West African regional body, Ecowas, has agreed to provide 3,000 troops for a peacekeeping force in war-torn Liberia.
In its statement after talks in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, Ecowas also urged the United States to take a lead role in the operation.
Officials in Washington say President Bush has not made any decision yet on troop deployment, although a US military delegation has been sent to Liberia to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, the Liberian President, Charles Taylor, has said he will step down as leader of the country, but only when international peacekeepers have been deployed.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced since fighting broke out between government troops and rebels.
Aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis.
