US President Barack Obama will make his debut Oval Office address to the American people on Tuesday, as he seeks to wrest political control over the Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe.

US President Barack Obama will make his debut Oval Office address to the American people on Tuesday, as he seeks to wrest political control over the Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe.

Barack Obama has compared the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to the September 11 terrorist attacks as he began a tour of the region.

Barack Obama and top BP executives are set for a showdown over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill this week, as the likely damages bill piles more pressure on the oil giant's shares.

Barack Obama's leadership of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill faces key tests this week as the U.S. president gives his first national address on the disaster and meets top BP executives for the first time.