Government officials have acknowledged CIA operatives are on the ground in Libya as part of a covert Western force to aid the U.S.-led bombing campaign. According to the New York Times, teams of CIA agents are gathering intelligence for air strikes and making contact with rebels fighting to overthrow Col. Muammar Gaddafi. The CIA has apparently been in Libya for several weeks along with British MI6 intelligence officers and special forces. The Reuters news agency meanwhile is reporting President Obama has secretly authorized the CIA to arm the Libyan rebels under a directive issued within the last three weeks. No U.S. weapons are believed to have been delivered as of yet, but Obama has said the U.S. is weighing its options.