The Hill News

President Obama should have to seek congressional approval for military strikes in Libya only if U.S. forces are there for a few weeks, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) said Thursday.

Engel said Obama was within his constitutional authority in ordering the U.S. military to help uphold a United Nations resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and airstrikes to prevent violence against civilians.

But Engel said Obama would have this authority only if the U.S. is “in and out pretty quickly.”

“I don't know if I'd hold him to a week, but if it lasted a few weeks then he would really need to come to Congress to [get permission],” Engel said.

Some lawmakers have criticized Obama for going into Libya without going to Congress for permission first. The White House also has come under criticism from lawmakers who say the goals of the mission are unclear.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) urged Obama in a letter Wednesday to! better define the U.S. mission and exit strategy for Libya.

Obama has described the U.S. role as supporting U.S. allies, and has said leadership of the mission will eventually be transferred. It is unclear when this transition will take place, and some military officials did not mention a timeframe in comments on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters this week it could happen Saturday.