US President Barack Obama has unveiled a series of measures in response to the oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico.
Mr Obama confirmed a six-month extension of the moratorium on permits for new deepwater oil drilling.
Speaking at the White House, he defended against criticism that his administration had been slow to act.
He vowed to hold BP accountable for the "horrific disaster" and said his officials would do everything necessary to protect and restore the coast.
Earlier, his administration announced the resignation of the head of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), which oversees drilling operations.
Mr Obama said the MMS had been plagued by corruption for years.
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