Gates Delays Russia Trip to Monitor Libyan Crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is delaying his trip to Russia so he can stay in Washington and monitor unfolding developments in Libya.

That word comes from Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell.

Gates planned to leave Saturday afternoon on what's probably his final visit to Russia as a member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet.

The one-day delay comes as U.S. officials familiar with the military intervention against Moammar Gadhafi's forces say the U.S. prepared to a launch a missile attack on Libyan air defenses.