WASHINGTON - The US Navy has sent two destroyers to Libyan waters following the death of the US ambassador in the African country, local media reported Wednesday.

The USS Laboon and USS McFaul, both Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, have been sent to the waters near the North African country, according to CNN.

The report cited US officials as saying the ships will give President Barack Obama "flexibility," should his administration decide to take action against suspected militants in Libya.

Other reports cited senior officials as saying the deployment is made as a precautionary measure.

The deployment came a day after Libyan gunmen attacked the US consulate in Benghazi, killing US Ambassador Chris Stevens and other three US nationals.

The attack has prompted the State Department to pull most of the embassy staff from Libya. The Pentagon has also sent Marine Corps units to Tripoli to provide additional protection for US diplomats still in country.