Whatever the case, Barack Obama and his administration were dead-set on delaying this thing, presumably in an attempt to secure even more funds out of the thin night air to make sure the " millions" still "unprepared" would be ready to rock 'n roll when the transition actually, finally happened.

ENGADGET: The original DTV transition: what could've been HD

They will act as a stabilising force to assist the U.N. in allowing the transition to a new government.

CNN: UK troops ready for Afghan role

To date, the administration has resisted a prominent U.N. role in the political transition, although it has not flatly ruled out such cooperation.

CNN: U.S. seeking U.N. support, help on Iraq

Administration sources said the goal is to win a strong statement from Annan backing the political transition plan and a commitment to send a U.N. team to Iraq to assist with the effort.

CNN: Bremer: U.N. has 'vital role' to play in Iraq

Secretary of State John Kerry, meanwhile, is heading to Moscow next week to try to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to support, or at least not veto, a fresh effort to impose U.N. penalties on Syria if Assad doesn't begin political transition talks with the opposition.

NPR: Syria News Agency: Israel Strikes Near Damascus

Security Council resolution passed in the last couple of days that provided a mandate for a U.N. presence in Tripoli to help with the post-Qaddafi transition, as well as a gradual lifting of the sanctions so that some of the funds that have been frozen can be more readily made available to the TNC.

WHITEHOUSE: Aboard Air Force One, En Route New York, New York

So these meetings tomorrow will be about marking that achievement, about receiving the TNC's plans for an inclusive transition in Libya, and also about underscoring the critical role that the U.N. is going to play as a body that can help provide expertise on the ground in Tripoli and other places as Libya moves into a post-Qaddafi government.

WHITEHOUSE: Aboard Air Force One, En Route New York, New York