EU to hear May's plea for Brexit delay

BRUSSELS - British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday hoped to persuade European Union leaders to delay the United Kingdom's divorce from the bloc by up to three months, with her plans in chaos just eight days before Britain's scheduled departure.

May was expected to meet the 27 other national EU leaders in Brussels, a day after she wrote requesting an extension of the Brexit deadline until June 30.

The bloc is weary of the political soap opera over Brexit. EU Council chief Donald Tusk, who is overseeing the summit, said a short delay should be possible, but only if Britain's Parliament approves May's divorce deal with the EU before the scheduled March 29 departure date.