UK paras kill three rebels

A paratrooper at Freetown Airport near to the firefight

British paratroops have killed three rebels during a firefight in Sierra Leone, despite the government saying it would not commit its forces to combat.

None of the Britons was injured in the fighting against the Revolutionary United Front, which took place at Lungi Lo, 10 miles east of the airport which serves the country's capital, Freetown.

One female civilian was injured and is being cared for by British medics, according to officials at Number 10.

The confrontation follows the strengthening of defensive positions around Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, by United Nations peacekeepers and British troops to repel any rebel attempts to take the city.

The UK Government had previously announced that British troops were there for the specific purpose of evacuating UK nationals rather than to take part in the conflict.

It was all within the robust rules of engagement

Downing Street spokesperson

That re-strengthening comes as the UN prepares to bolster its peacekeeping contingent with 1,700 reinforcements.

The Downing Street spokesperson said of the firefight: "It was at a crucial junction on the road to the airport from which the RUF could easily attack the airport.

"It was all within the robust rules of engagement."

Expanding UK role

The role of the British soldiers in the Sierra Leone crisis appears to be expanding, say BBC correspondents.

They say it appears the UK paratroopers are active in defending the capital city, alongside the UN.

British troops have been seen 13 miles (20km) outside Freetown, manning roadblocks at key junctions, not evacuating foreigners.

Sierra Leone's information minister, Dr Julius Spencer, who had earlier complained about the failure of Western nations to come to the rescue of his beleaguered government, told the BBC he was now satisfied with the British contribution.