NATO ships patrolled Libya's coast Thursday morning after U.S.- led coalition forces carried out another night of air strikes over Tripoli.
   
President Obama, who is scheduled to meet with his national security team Thursday, said the U.S. will reduce its involvement to a support role within days.

"We are going to be in the process now, having eliminated his air defenses, of being able to bring the international coalition in," Obama said.
    
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the no-fly zone has been a success.

"I know that the nightly news cannot cover a humanitarian crisis that thankfully did not happen," she said. "But it is important to remember that many, many Libyans are safer today because the international community took action." 

Nevertheless, the president is facing new pressure from Congress over the America's role in Libya amidst concerns about the mounting costs. 

"I and many other members of the House of Representatives are troubled that U.S. military resources were committed to war without clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is and what America's role is in achieving that mission," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, wrote in a letter to Obama Wednesday.

"In fact, the limited, sometimes contradictory, case made to the American people by members of your administration has left some fundamental questions about our engagement unanswered," he continued.

"At the same time, by contrast, it appears your administration has consulted extensively on these same matters with foreign entities such as the United Nations and the Arab League," the missive concluded.

Republican lawmakers have called for congressional hearings on the matter.