The US President Mr George W Bush has said he is willing to help in the Northern Ireland peace process, but will wait to be asked.
Speaking after meeting the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair in Camp David last night Mr Bush praised former president Mr Bill Clinton's efforts to bring peace to the North.
"I will be standing by, anxious to help, if I am needed", Mr Bush told a news conference.
Mr Blair said he was very grateful for Bush's offer, but he said it was hard to foresee the circumstances in which he might ask Mr Bush to help.
"The fact that I know he is there and willing to do that is very important", said Mr Blair.
The peace process is in deadlock with no agreement on the crucial issues of policing and decommissioning.
Proposals to hold a final round-table session of talks next week were gathering momentum last night to allow a last attempt to reach agreement before a British general election.
The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are expected to stand back from such discussions, at least in their initial stages, and would join them only if a deal appears likely, according to reliable sources.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, would instead represent the governments. Sources suggest that such talks, if agreed, would take place next Thursday and/or Friday, probably at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast. PA