U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday, May 5, that ousting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is the best way to protect Libya's civilians.

"We have made it abundantly clear that the best way to protect civilians is for Gadhafi to cease his ruthless, brutal attack on civilians from the west to the east, to withdraw from the cities that he is sieging and attacking and to leave power," Clinton said. "This is the outcome we are seeking."

Clinton spoke after holding bilateral talks with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini ahead of a diplomatic meeting on Libya, AP reported.

The meeting of the Libyan Contact Group at the Italian Foreign Ministry on Thursday is expected to seek ways to give financial support to the rebels, who have indicated they need $1.5 billion in the coming months.

The meeting of 22-nations involved in NATO's Libya campaign also includes the NATO chief, the Arab League, the leader of Libya's opposition council, and the leader of Libya's opposition council, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, who used to be Gadhafi's Justice Minister.