The U.S. is in talks with NATO and other allies about possible measures against the current Libyan leadership, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said.
"Talks are under way with our partners in NATO and elsewhere," she said, commenting on a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The U.S. diplomat was cautious when asked about possible U.S. military support of Libyan opposition.
"It is unclear at this point who will emerge as the critical opposition elements. And we await to see how the opposition will coalesce. And in that context, it is premature to talk about any kind of military assistance."
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, however, that the alliance will act strictly under the Security Council resolution, which rules out military intervention into Libya's domestic affairs.
"I think the framework here and now is, and should be, the resolution adopted by the UNSC last week, and that Security Council resolution excludes the use of armed force, and a no-fly zone is not mentioned in it," Rasmussen said.
Fox News reported that the U.S. has already started repositioning its naval forces in the area.
"The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise – which was previously positioned off the coast of Somalia, where it was stationed to respond to a pirate hijacking – has turned around and moved to the mouth of the Suez Canal in the Red Sea," the channel said. "It is now heading in the direction of Libya."
An unnamed military official said the ship has not yet been ordered to move through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, as the U.S. military still weighting possible options.
"We are exploring all options and moving assets in case they are needed," Fox news quoted the official as saying.
According to another military source, the Pentagon is seeking an additional battalion of Marines to attach to the Marine Expeditionary Unit on board the USS Kearsarge. The unit may assist in "a humanitarian effort in Libya."
Meanwhile, the U.S. froze Libyan government assets worth over $30 bln in what Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen described as "the largest blocking under any sanctions program ever."
WASHINGTON, March 1 (RIA Novosti)
