Papua New Guinea will sign a security pact with the United States that gives American troops access to the Pacific nation's ports and airports, its leader says, as Washington jostles for influence in the region with Beijing. Prime Minister James Marape tells a press conference two agreements focusing on defence cooperation and maritime surveillance have been agreed with Washington and will be formally signed at the earliest opportunity after parliamentary approval. "We are elevating to a specific defence cooperation agreement, something that is falling short of a treaty," he says. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES