The additional troops were requested on Monday at the end of a regional summit in Abidjan by Lansana Kouyate, general secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

Several West African nations pledged support

Nigeria, which already provides the bulk of the 10,000 strong West African coalition army known at Ecomog, has sent an additional 1,000 soldiers to back up their positions in the capital, Freetown. Ghana has also sent fresh reinforcements.

"We have sent some men and officers to help beef up what is already on the ground," said an unnamed senior Ghanaian defence ministry official.

Some 500 soldiers from Mali and Gambia are also expected within days, and other West African nations have also pledged troops.

Rebels advance

About half of the Ecomog troops are now stationed in Freetown, following recent advances of the rebels. The intervention forces have been forced to retreat from the key northern town of Makeni in the face of a sustained rebel offensive.

West Africa Correspondent Mark Doyle: Ecomog admits the retreat

Force Commander General Timothy Shelpidi described the withdrawal as tactical and said a pro-government militia group was still putting up a defence in the town.

But the BBC West Africa correspondent says that while the pull-out is a blow for the government, the president will be heartened by support from West Africa foreign ministers who also condemned Liberia for backing the rebels.

Residents flee Makeni

Delegates at the Abidjan meeting included key West African foreign ministers, a UN special representative and the ambassadors of the two western powers most influential in Freetown, the UK and the US.

President Kabbah offered to negotiate

Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Sam Banya told the meeting that Makeni's several thousand residents had fled.

He also alleged that the rebels were supported by mercenaries recruited in Liberia, Burkina Faso and the Ukraine.

"We have strong evidence that Liberia is helping the rebels and they have also hired these foreign mercenaries," he said.

Although the rebels were not invited to the meeting, Mr Kouyate stressed that Ecowas was also trying to open dialogue.

President Kabbah's government had already offered to negotiate with the rebels and proposed an amnesty for their troops if they lay down their arms.