Aid and rescue offers for Japan earthquake

More than 45 countries have offered to help Japan deal with Friday's devastating earthquake and tsunami, the United Nations said.

Following is a list of aid offers.

* US President Barack Obama sent condolences to the people of Japan and said the United States would provide any help its close ally needed.

* US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the military was willing to do "anything we are asked to do to help out." The Pentagon positioned at least six Navy ships for earthquake and tsunami relief.

* Some 68 search and rescue teams from 45 countries were on standby, but the United Nations was awaiting a green light from authorities in Japan to deploy, said Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

* UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters that the world body was ready to help Japan in any way necessary, including humanitarian assistance, and was closely monitoring the aftershocks throughout the day.

* South Korea is initially sending 40 emergency rescue officials who are on standby to fly in by government plane when they get clearance, its foreign ministry said.

* The Russian emergency services agency ERMACOM offered 40 people with three sniffer dogs.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia was "ready to offer Japan all possible aid to cope with the aftermath of this tragedy."

* Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Beijing was ready to provide Japan with necessary assistance to deal with the aftermath of the devastating natural disaster, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

* Thailand will offer 5 million baht ($165,000) aid to Japan and will consider giving more when the extent of the damage is known, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said.

* Singapore has civil defense forces on standby.

* Poland offered firefighters.

* Switzerland offered rescue teams.

* France said they were ready to offer whatever help was required.

* British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was in contact with the Japanese government and he has asked the country's ambassador in Tokyo to offer all assistance. ($1=30.37 Baht)