The U.N. Security Council is expected to consider a draft resolution that would effectively end authorization of NATO's mission in Libya, in spite of calls from Libyan officials for the mission to be extended.

Diplomats say the Council may consider the plan as early as Thursday.

Last week, NATO announced preliminary plans to phase out the six-month-old air campaign on October 31. But, NATO ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday decided to postpone a decision until Friday.

Meanwhile, Libya's interim leaders urged NATO to continue its mission until at least the end of the year. National Transitional Council head Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the move would help prevent fighters loyal to Moammar Gadhafi from regrouping and posing a security threat.

A possible decision on ending the mission comes in the wake of Gadhafi's death last week. He was fatally wounded as provisional government forces stormed his hometown of Sirte.

The NATO operations in Libya were launched under a Security Council resolution to protect civilians from attacks by Gadhafi's military during the conflict.