The Hill News

Gen. David Petraeus this week cracked a joke to Defense Secretary Robert Gates about attacking Libya, where rebels have violently clashed with forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi for weeks.

In the presence of a hot microphone, Petraeus greeted Gates while he disembarked from his plane this week in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

"Welcome back, sir. Flying a little bigger plane than normal? Are you going to launch some attacks in Libya or something?" Petraeus joked.

Gates chuckled and replied, "Yeah, exactly."

The White House has played its cards close to the vest when it comes to what action it will take in Libya. The administration has already announced it will pursue unilateral sanctions against the North African country, but it is also weighing a range of military options. 

President Obama has received pressure from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, particularly Republicans, to act more swiftly on Libya.

h/t The Page