their presence across the area, and officials sending hundreds of marines and two ships to the region. the military has three ships in the mediterranean including two naval destroyers and moments ago the defense secretary gates and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff briefed reporters of the situation. jennifer griffin was on the conference call or just left the meeting. >>reporter: a press conference here. we just came out of. >>shepard: secretary gates spoke of the libyan crisis for the first time? >>reporter: that is right. what was clear talking to secretary gate and admiral mullen, there does not appear to be the stomach here and in the pentagon and in the international community to set up a no-fly zone. listen to secretary gates. >> the u.n. security council resolution provides no authorization for the use of armed force. there is no unanimity in nato for the use of armed force.