President Barack Obama says the United States will be fighting the effects of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico for years to come. In his first televised address from the Oval Office, he laid out what he called a "battle plan" to tackle the crisis.

President Barack Obama described the spill as "the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced." And he vowed to tackle the problem with whatever resources are required.

US President Barack Obama said, "We will fight this spill with everything we've got for as long it takes. We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever's necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy."

But he admits that there will be more oil and more damage, before efforts to stop the leak are completed.

Obama says he has directed BP to mobilize additional equipment and technology. He has also assembled a team of the nation's best scientists and engineers to tackle the challenge.

"In the coming days and weeks, these efforts should capture up to 90% of the oil leaking out of the well. This is until the company finishes drilling a relief well later in the summer that is expected to stop the leak completely." Obama said.

In his speech, Obama promised to ensure that BP follows through on its obligations to compensate locals, as well as businesses who have lost revenue because of the spill.

"Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company's recklessness. And this fund will not be controlled by BP." Said Obama.

The president says the disaster is a painful reminder of the need for a rapid transition to clean energy.

The 18-minute speech is being seen as critical to the credibility of the Obama presidency. It follows criticism that the White House was slow to grasp the enormity of the problem.