BRUSSELS, Dhu-AlQa'dah 28, 1432, Oct 26, 2011, SPA - A NATO spokeswoman says that the military alliance is postponing its formal decision to end the mission in Libya as consultations continue with the U.N. and Libya's interim government. NATO's governing body was to formalize on Wednesday its preliminary plans to phase out the alliance's air campaign on Oct. 31. In the meantime, air patrols would continue to make sure there is no return to violence, according to a report of the Associated Press. Spokeswoman Carmen Romero said that meeting will now be held on Friday. Last week, the alliance announced preliminary plans to phase out its campaign on Oct. 31. On Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said some of Libya's leaders had called for NATO to continue its mission "during this interim (period) as they try to establish some new governance." --SPA 14:12 LOCAL TIME 11:12 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/937878