Senior US officials urged Congress on Thursday to support long-termmilitary and civilian security assistance for Pakistan, which they sayhas been essential for the US-led fight against global terrorism.Members of Congress from both political parties were generallysupportive of the plan, with some urging faster movement, particularlyin providing new helicopters for Pakistan's military.The Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, Michele Flournoy, told theHouse of Representatives Armed Services Committee the level ofimportance the Obama administration attaches to defence cooperationwith Pakistan.