20110331
presstv
The US president has signed a secret bill to authorize covert operations allegedly in support of the Libyan revolutionaries who are fighting to topple the long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

American government officials said on Wednesday that the US President Barack Obama signed the secret presidential finding during the past two or three weeks, Reuters reported.

The White House spokesman Jay Carney has refused to comment on the issue, saying intelligence matters would not be discussed.

“I will reiterate what the president said yesterday - no decision has been made about providing arms to the opposition or to any group in Libya," Carney said.

Meanwhile, other reports say the CIA has deployed covert operatives in Libya to gather intelligence for US-led airstrikes in the country.

On Wednesday, two US congressmen, Timothy Johnson and Justin Amash, introduced a draft bill that sought to slash funding for US military operations in Libya.

The Republican House Representatives say Obama does not have the constitutional authority to launch a military action unless there is an imminent threat against the US.

The Pentagon has said that the Libyan intervention has cost US taxpayers nearly USD 550 million so far. These costs are expected to remain at USD 40 million per month from now on.