U.S. President George W. Bush and other world leaders sent or offered rescue teams and aid to Pakistan on Sunday after a huge quake battered the region, killing more than 18,000 people. The United States, which had to mount major domestic relief efforts in the past few weeks when hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck, said it would provide $100,000 in emergency aid funding to the country and was also offering U.S. military helicopters. Bush, who counts Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as a key ally in the U.S.-led war against terrorism, said further assistance would be provided as needed. "My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this horrible tragedy," he said in a statement, echoing an outpouring of sympathy from across the world. --MORE 1227 Local Time 0927 GMT
