President Barack Obama meets with his national security team - to discuss options on Syria.

The meeting comes days after reports that the Syrian government used chemical weapons in an attack on a Damascus suburb.

According to a White House official, the U.S. is gathering information to try to confirm whether the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did use chemical weapons.

So far, Obama has been reluctant to intervene in Syria's now two and a half year long civil war.

While traveling to Asia, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters the president had asked for a range of options on Syria - which lead to the deployment of the guided missile destroyer - the U.S.S. Mahan - to the Mediterranean Sea.

The expanded naval presence - gives the president an option for an armed strike on Syria - but officials continue to stress Obama has made no decision on any military action.