Nato's governing body will meet today to decide when and how to end the seven-month bombing campaign over Libya.
After Libya's former rebels killed Muammar Gaddafi yesterday, officials said they expected the operation to end very soon.
But the alliance may decide to keep air patrols flying over Libya for several more days until security stabilises.
The final decision will depend on the recommendation of Admiral Jim Stavridis, the supreme allied commander.
Nato's Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said yesterday that after the latest developments, the end of the campaign "has now moved much closer".
Nato warplanes have flown about 26,000 sorties, including more than 9,600 strike missions. They destroyed Libya's air defences and more than 1,000 tanks, vehicles, and guns.