More British troops arrived in the capital after complicated negotiations yielded a signed agreement on how international peacekeeping forces will operate under Afghanistan's new government, officials said.

Yesterday, a convoy carrying about 70 British soldiers pulled into Kabul to reinforce an initial deployment that has been patrolling the capital and providing security to an interim government sworn in on Dec 22.

Meanwhile, US Marines in southern Afghanistan prepared to hand over their airport base to the US Army's 101st Airborne Division. Army soldiers will assume operations at the encampment where 139 suspected Taliban or al-Qaida members are being interrogated by American military and intelligence officials in a makeshift jail.

At least 92 people were killed by US bombing around the village of Niazi Qala in Paktia province, the Afghan Islamic Press reported Monday. Witnesses told the

Pakistan-based news agency that the number of casualties may be higher. Bombs fell early Sunday in the area about 100 kilometres south of Kabul on the Gardez-Kabul highway, the agency said.

There was no immediate comment from the US military, which earlier said it hit a building about 16 kilometres from Gardez in eastern Paktia province late Friday night.

The country's interim foreign minister, Dr Abdullah, who uses only one name, had said during a Sunday news conference that US airstrikes are needed "as long as terrorist cells are in Afghanistan."

Abdullah told a news conference that Osama bin Laden may still be in the country -- another incentive for foreign help in cleaning up the mess left by the former Taliban rulers. US forces continue patrolling Afghanistan's rugged mountains, looking for the suspected terrorist and his followers.

The first deployment of peacekeepers -- British Royal Marines -arrived days before the Dec 22 inauguration of a six-month administration. But discussions had

bogged down over the total number of needed troops and their duties.

Abdullah would not provide further specifics about the deal reached Sunday with representatives of the peacekeeping force, saying only that foreign troops will work with Afghans to provide security and are permitted to defend themselves.

The deal was signed yesterday after translations were worked out. Interior Minister Younus Qanooni signed for the Afghan government and an American general for the peacekeepers.

Some within the interim Cabinet called for as many as 5,000 peacekeepers with a visible, and proactive role. Defense Minister Mohammed Fahim wanted only 1,000 international troops performing peacekeeping duties with a low profile.

Without the details of the agreement, it was not clear what concessions were made and by whom. Abdullah said only some discussions took longer "than what was expected."