The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said it had agreed to consider releasing another round of grants in September next year.

The Fund decided "to call for a fifth round of proposals in March, to be considered for approval by the board in September," according to a statement recieved by AFP in Nairobi.

Some 435 African AIDS activist groups had pressed the Fund's board meeting in the Tanzanian town of Arusha this week to release the cash very soon in order to fight the three killer diseases that have ravaged the continent, amid opposition from the United States delegation.

The Arusha meeting was attended by presidents from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as well as US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson and British secretary of state Hillary Benn.

"The approval of round five in 2005 will raise funding requirement in that year to 2.4 billion dollars with 1.4 billion needed for the renewal of existing grants," the statement said.

"Regardless of the timing of the new grants, roughly 2.7 billion dollars will be additionally required for renewals after 2005," the Global Fund statement explained.

Thompson, the current chair of the Fund, explained the latest decision will go a long way to end suffering wrought by the three diseases, mostly in Africa.

Thursday's "unanimous decision reflects the Board's unwavering commitment to turn the tide against these diseases and ensure long-term viability and accountability of the Global Fund," he explained.

Since it was created in January 2002 by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) to assist poor nations to slash deaths, the Fund has committed about three billion dollars in two-year grants to 128 countries, instead of 30 billion projected.

The Fund's Vice Chair Helen Rossert-Blavier voiced hopes that the Global Fund will explore ways to expand its financial base.

"A new round of proposals will ensure that the Global Fund continues to expand its funding," she said.

"This will enable us to fulfil the hopes of millions of people around the world by providing more people with AIDS, TB and malaria treatment and increase prevention efforts," said Rossert-Blavier, who also heads the French charity group, AIDES.