The United States, France and Britain said on Thursday that "stuck together" in his determination to see Muammar Qaddafi in Libya to relinquish power, and a meeting of the Organization of the North Atlantic Treaty in Berlin heard a top commander appeal of ground attack aircraft to reinforce the efforts of the alliance against the forces of Kadafi.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to ease tensions among NATO members, saying that Gaddafi "is testing our resolve .... As our mission continues, keeping our determination is only more important."
His words were supported by a joint statement issued hours later by President Obama, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, promising to keep its military operations in Libya.
Clinton said the United States was "particularly concerned about the atrocities taking place in Misurata," according to press reports. "We are taking steps to respond, and those responsible will be held accountable."
But NATO leaders say they need more ground attack aircraft to be more effective.
U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, supreme allied commander of NATO, Europe, said at the meeting of foreign ministers of eight additional combat aircraft, specific requirements for precision strikes against Kadafi units without causing civilian casualties, U.S. officials say . and NATO.
It was unclear which nations within the alliance would respond to the request. The U.S., which has much more ground attack aircraft than any other country, who retired last week when it became a supporting role. And no other country have so far committed to complying with the request Stavridis, officials said.
Britain and France have insisted publicly in recent days that more U.S. action is needed.
Libyan forces have continued attacking the opposition-controlled areas in the last week, but many have lost their uniforms and hide their armored vehicles to avoid being targeted by NATO warplanes flying high and fast changing.
U.S. Only Air Force has A-10 or AC-130 aircraft flying low and slow to carry out precision strikes against ground targets.
Several other NATO members have fighters that have been modified to carry out such attacks, including the Netherlands and Britain, a U.S. official said. Britain has already provided a number of Tornado fighters and ground attack said to amend two Typhoon aircraft ground attacks.
However, "many countries have land strike assets have not been offered the Libyan campaign," said the NATO official.
There was no sign that the U.S. was considering the possibility of its A-10 and AC-130 available.
Lt. Bouchard generalCharlie Canadian Air Force, under the command of the campaign in Libya, has not asked for U.S. warplanes and would do only one "emergency," said the NATO official.