The White House has said the US and Britain have agreed on the details of a proposal to wipe out the debts owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries.
A White House spokesman said the details of the proposal are being discussed with the finance ministers from the G8 group of rich nations in London.
The details of the agreement are due to be announced at this weekend’s meeting of G8 finance ministers.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, has indicated that he is optimistic he can secure international support for his plan to cancel the debts of the poorest African countries.
The talks come just a month before world leaders converge in Scotland for a G8 summit, which is also expected to attract thousands of anti-poverty campaigners.
The deal would cancel the debts of poor countries to international lenders like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank.
British G8 presidency
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has put assistance for Africa at the top of the agenda for Britain's presidency of the G8 this year.
He gained some support from US President George W Bush for his debt relief plan when he visited Washington earlier this week.
However, there is still little sign of US movement on the massive increases in aid for Africa which Mr Blair is seeking from rich countries.
