Gates: Obama approves Predator drones for Libya

President Barack Obama has approved the use of Predator drone aircraft in Libya, Defense Secretary Bob Gates told a Pentagon press conference today.

"Gates told a Pentagon news conference that the Predator is an example of the unique U.S. military capabilities that Obama is willing to contribute to a coalition military campaign in Libya, while other countries enforce a no-fly zone," the Associates Press reports.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. James Cartwright, "speaking alongside Gates, said the first Predator mission was scheduled for Thursday but it was scratched due to poor weather," the reported continued. "Cartwright said the Predators allow low-level precision attacks on Libyan government forces."

The decision was announced a day after two renowned western photojournalists, Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, died from injuries sustained covering fighting between regime and rebel forces in the besieged Libyan port city of Misrata.

The United States also announced yesterday that it would allocate $25 million in non-lethal assistance -- such as binoculars, protective gear and Halal meals -- for the Libyan rebels.

The French, Italian and British government announced earlier this week that they would send small teams of about 40 military advisers total to the eastern Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi to help the Libyan rebels better coordinate and organize themselves.

(Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen testified on Libya before the Armed Services Committee on March 31, 2011.: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo.)