Congressional officials say the House Republican leadership is crafting legislation allowing the U.S. military to continue participating in the NATO-led operation against Libya.

The measure would be an alternative to anti-war Democrat Dennis Kucinich's proposal to end U.S. involvement. And it would set up House members for a potential political tug-of-war, even as dozens of their own yearn for precisely that kind of showdown with President Barack Obama.

A vote on the issue was postponed on Wednesday, and officials in both parties said it was because Kucinich's legislation was gaining ground.

Details of the alternative were still being worked out. The leadership plans to discuss it with rank and file at a meeting later Thursday.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss behind-the-scenes negotiations.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Setting up a balance-of-power showdown over Libya, more than 60 House Republicans on Thursday embraced a measure calling on Congress to disapprove of U.S. military involvement in the NATO-led campaign against Moammar Gadhafi.

Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio introduced the resolution with the support of 62 House members, mostly Republicans and anti-war Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. The measure simply states that based on the War Powers Resolution, "Congress does not approve of United States intervention in Libya."

Turner's move comes as the GOP leadership tries to figure out its next step on Libya. The leadership abruptly postponed a vote slated for Wednesday on a Kucinich resolution demanding an end to U.S. involvement in Libya amid concerns that it would be approved, a major embarrassment for President Barack Obama.

In a retort to Congress, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Thursday that "Secretary (Robert) Gates believes that for the United States, once committed to a NATO operation, to unilaterally abandon that mission would have enormous and dangerous long-term consequences."

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters he expected the issue to be resolved by Friday. Rank and file Republicans planned to meet later in the day on Thursday to figure out Congress' next step.

Republicans and Democrats alike have said they're frustrated with the administration's inability to explain the U.S. mission and many have argued that Obama violated a 1973 law by failing to seek congressional authorization 60 days after the start of military operations.

"Since the president engaged the United States in military action in Libya, he has not explained to Congress what the U.S.' role is, nor has he clearly outlined how that role will be carried out," Turner said in a statement. "In the over 60 days since U.S. involvement began, we have watched our mission evolve considerably. Recently, U.S. Adm. Samuel Locklear, Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples overseeing the operation, even suggested that this effort will likely require soldiers on the ground to ensure stability in the region once Gaddafi is removed."

In an interview, Turner said Congress has "no information on post-Gadhafi planning" from the administration.

Forces loyal to Gadhafi and the rebels remain in a standoff as NATO and its partners said Wednesday they have decided to extend for another 90 days their military campaign to protect Libyan civilians.

The administration continued to defend the U.S. action in Libya, with Obama spokesman Jay Carney saying the commander in chief has not exceeded his constitutionally-granted powers in keeping the U.S. involved in the NATO-led campaign.

"We feel strongly that the president has acted in a way that is consistent with the War Powers resolution," Carney said Wednesday.

Obama backs a Senate resolution written by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., supporting the U.S. military role in the NATO-led operation. The Senate could vote on that resolution next week.

Obama has said he would not send ground forces to Libya.

___

Associated Press writer Sagar Meghani contributed to this report.