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United Nations • Britain and France began drafting a U.N. resolution for a no-fly zone in Libya that could balance the scales between Libyan forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi and the rebels.

President Barack Obama warned that the U.S. and its NATO allies are still considering military options to stop what he called "unacceptable" violence by Gadhafi's regime. NATO decided to boost flights of AWACs surveillance planes over Libya from 10 to 24 hours a day, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder said.

"I want to send a very clear message to those who are around Colonel Gadhafi. It is their choice to make how they operate moving forward. And they will be held accountable for whatever violence continues to take place," Obama said Monday in the Oval Office.

A British diplomat at the U.N. stressed Monday that the resolution is being prepared as a contingency in case it is needed, but no decision has been made to introduce it at the U.N. Security Council.

Pressure for the no-fly zone appears to be intensifying after Gadhafi's regime unleashed its air power on the poorly equipped and poorly organized rebel force trying to oust their ruler of 41 years.

The heavy use of air power on Sunday — and again on Monday — signaled the regime's concern that it needed to check the advance of the rebel force toward the city of Sirte — Gadhafi's hometown and stronghold.

Libya's U.N. ambassador and his deputy have urged the council to impose a no-fly zone to prevent Gadhafi's forces from bombing civilians.

Rebel fighters have also urged its establishment, saying they can take on Gadhafi's elite ground forces, but are outgunned if he uses his air power.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague told the House of Commons on Monday that "NATO has been tasked to work on a range of options, including the possible establishment of a no-fly zone."

"At the U.N. Security Council, we are working closely with partners on a contingency basis on elements of a resolution on a no-fly zone, making clear the need for regional support, a clear trigger for such a resolution and an appropriate legal basis," Hague said.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Saturday before leaving for Cairo that "we are currently working in New York with the British to achieve a resolution of the U.N. Security Council creating a no-fly zone in order to prevent bombings."

A French diplomat at the U.N. said ideas for a resolution must be discussed with the entire 15-member Security Council before a proposal is drafted. The French and British diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are taking place in private.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said Monday that Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa told Juppe at their meeting in Cairo on Sunday that the 22-member Arab group supports a no-fly zone.

"We are evaluating all the options to be able to face the evolution of the situation on the ground," Valero said.

A no-fly resolution is likely to face opposition from Russia.