NATO sends third aid flight to Pakistan

NATO was sending a third flight loaded with relief supplies to Pakistan on Monday and the allies ordered their military commanders to draw up plans for more assistance to the earthquake-hit area.

A converted Boeing 737 jetliner was due to fly in three tons of tents and camp stoves donated by Lithuania and four tons of Bulgarian winter tents and blankets, the alliance said in a statement. Envoys from the 26 allied governments told the military to look at a range of options on what more the alliance could do, after consultations with the Pakistani government.

Officials said they expected the military to report back by the end of the week, but declined to give details of the options for fear of raising expectations that could not be met. NATO disappointed some Pakistanis last week when it said it could not make significant transfers of helicopters and troops from its peacekeeping mission in neighboring Afghanistan because they are at full stretch there.

Last week, NATO sent two planeloads of aid from Slovenia and Sweden to Pakistan. The alliance is also keeping a liaison team in the Pakistani capital Islamabad to coordinate aid flights with the local authorities, AP reports.

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