"Gaddafi may try to hunker down and wait it out even in the face of a no-fly zone, even though his forces have been degraded," Obama said.
"But keep in mind that we don`t just have military tools at our disposal, in terms of accomplishing Gaddafi`s leaving: we put in place strong international sanctions, we`ve frozen his assets, we will continue to apply a whole range of pressure on him," he added.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an interview with ABC News that Gaddafi was "exploring" options of quitting.
"And we would encourage that," she added.
She did not confirm media reports that at least one of Gaddafi`s sons died, saying that "the evidence is not sufficient."
NATO member states including the United States, Britain and France are continuing air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi`s forces. Libyan state television has reported that at least 60 civilians have so far been killed in the attacks.
KR-PPT/H-AK
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
