David Petraeus, Robert Gates caught joking about launching attack on Libya

Television microphones have picked up the US commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, joking with defence secretary Robert Gates about possible military intervention in Libya.

Gates arrived in Afghanistan on Monday for an unexpected visit to assess ground conditions, as the Obama administration prepares to pull some troops out of the country, Politico reports.

"Welcome back sir, how are things?" Petraeus was heard saying, as he greeted Gates on the Kabul airport runway, according to a transcript of a US television crew.

"Well, I think you have a bigger plane than normal, you’re going to launch some attacks on Libya or something?" Petraeus jokes.

"Yeah, exactly," Gates replies.

President Barack Obama had earlier said that the NATO is considering a "wide range of potential options, including potential military options" against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his allies.