The request was made by the US ambassador to the 26-member alliance, Victoria Nuland, at a special meeting of the North Atlantic Council, NATO's top decision-making body.

"Today, the US ambassador has asked the alliance to consider if it could play a stronger logistical and transport role to bring European assistance to the US," said the official, asking not to be named.

In response, the NAC -- which is expected to meet again on Friday -- tasked the alliance's military authorities to "develop options" in coordination with the US military's Northern Command.

This could include naval parts of NATO's rapid Response Force, in particular for heavy sea lift, said the official.

NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said last week that the US-led alliance was ready to provide assistance to the United States after the category four hurricane pounded the US Gulf Coast, leaving thousands feared dead.

"In an alliance like NATO which is based on solidarity it goes without saying that when one of the partners and allies is in trouble and is suffering, where NATO can NATO will help," De Hoop Scheffer said.

The European Union, which groups many of the same countries as NATO, has also stepped up to the plate to help US authorities deal with the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.

The United States on Sunday officially asked for emergency aid from the EU in the form of blankets, medicines, water, pumps, food rations, etc... for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, said the European Commission.

The Commission, through its crisis and monitoring center, will coordinate aid offers from the EU member states while the British EU presidency will serve as the point of contact with the United States.

NATO also received a similar request for aid from the United States at the weekend, and has sent an officer to Washington to consult with US authorities.