Paras kill Sierra Leone rebels

A paratrooper at Freetown Airport near to the firefight

British paratroops have killed four rebels during a skirmish in Sierra Leone, but the government says the rules of engagement remain unchanged.

UK Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, told the BBC soldiers on "a routine British patrol" on an approach road to Freetown airport used their weapons after coming under rebel fire.

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

Mr Hoon confirmed the RUF leader, Foday Sankoh, who was captured in Freetown by British special forces, remained "in protective custody" guarded by British troops.

The Defence Secretary told the BBC: "We believe it's a wholly good thing that he is in custody", adding that Britain hoped it would "lead to a cessation of rebel attacks".

We can be very, very proud of our armed forces

Tony Blair, Prime Minister

Asked if the firefight represented a creeping extension of the mission for UK troops, the Defence Secretary said: "None at all".

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, told MPs during Question Time in the Commons: "We can be very, very proud of our armed forces and what they have done in Sierra Leone."

Mr Hoon later added that British troops were "simply acting on the invitation" of Sierra Leone's government and their role was "no more than we ever suggested".

He said the inspector general of Sierra Leone's police authority, Keith Biddle, who is British, had sought help from British troops after a mob had gathered outside the barracks in which Mr Sankoh was being held.

Mr Hoon said the police chief "feared for his own life" and for those around him.

Geoff Hoon: says rules of combat remain unchanged

Mr Sankoh was whisked away by helicopter and Mr Hoon confirmed to the BBC that he was "still for the moment in the country".

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

In a separate confrontation with the RUF, a Nigerian soldier serving with the UN and six Sierra Leone soldiers were killed.

The confrontation at around 0045 BST 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.

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

Police chief Keith Biddle feared for his life

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.

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

UK role 'expanding'

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.