US President Barack Obama
US President Barack ObamaIsrael news photo: The White House

U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday that NATO is considering military action in Libya.

According to a report published by USA Today, the American president made the statement after meeting earlier in the day at the White House with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Following their talks, Obama told reporters that NATO, which is meeting in Brussels, was discussing “a wide range of potential options, including potential military options in response to the violence that continues to take place inside of Libya.”

He added that he had authorized millions of dollars in humanitarian aid for the Libyan people.

Obama warned that dictator Muammar Qaddafi and his supporters would be held accountable for the violence being perpetrated in the North African nation.

It is estimated that Qaddafi's forces have slaughtered thousands of civilian protesters and the rebel forces now fighting his army.

“I think we will have to monitor the situation very closely,” cautioned U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who noted that any foreign military intervention would require international backing.

Gates is currently on a visit in Afghanistan.