LIBYA – NEWS/PICTURES IV

The Frame: Libya’s rebels begin forming a government

http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/03/libyas-rebels-begin-forming-a.html

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — NATO ships patrolled off Libya’s coast Wednesday as airstrikes, missiles and energized rebels forced Moammar Gadhafi’s tanks to roll back from two key western cities, including one that was the hometown of army officers who tried to overthrow him in 1993. Libya’s opposition took haphazard steps to form a government in the east, as they and the U.S.-led force protecting them girded for prolonged and costly fighting. The withdrawal of the tanks from Misrata and Zintan was a rare success for the rebels, who are struggling daily against Gadhafi forces in the eastern gateway city of Ajdabiya. The disorganized opposition holds much of the east but has been unable to take advantage of the international air campaign that saved it from the brink of defeat.(28 images)

The Frame: International forces continue the air assault on Libya

http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/03/international-forces-continue.html

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — French airstrikes hit an air base deep inside Libya and NATO ships patrolled the coast to block arms and mercenaries from flowing in to help Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Other coalition bombers struck artillery, tanks and parked helicopters, officials said Thursday. Rear Adm. Gerard Hueber, a top U.S. officer in the campaign in Libya, said international forces were attacking government troops that have been storming population centers. Despite disorganization among the rebels the airstrikes and missiles seemed to have their intended effect in Libya, at least for now. (19 images)

The Frame: Fighting continues in Ras Lanouf, Libya

http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/03/fighting-continues-in-ras-lano.html

RAS LANOUF, Libya (AP) — Forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi struck an oil pipeline and oil storage facility Wednesday, sending a giant yellow fireball into the sky as they pounded rebels with artillery and gunfire in at least two major cities. At least four people were killed in Wednesday’s fighting, officials said. Gadhafi appeared to be keeping up the momentum he has seized in recent days in his fight against rebels trying to move on the capital, Tripoli, from territory they hold in eastern Libya.

A tiny clinic in the city built mainly for foreign workers at this oil facility has turned into a front-line field hospital for the rebel army. Volunteer doctors from across Libya’s east have replaced the long evacuated foreign staff and toil to patch together fighters blown up by the rockets and tank shells of Moammar Gadhafi’s army. (26 images)

The Frame: Libyan rebels repel attacks as refugees flee

http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/03/libyan-rebels-repel-attacks-as.html

BREGA, Libya (AP) — Rebels strengthened their hold on the strategic oil installation at Brega on Thursday after repelling an attempt by loyalists of Moammar Gadhafi to retake it. International pressure on the Libyan leader increased as an international court began investigating whether to charge him and his inner circle with crimes against humanity.

As the fighting continued, Libyan border crossings were overwhelmed by tens of thousands of hungry, fearful people fleeing its burgeoning civil war. Egypt and a handful of European nations launched emergency airlifts and sent ships to handle the chaotic exodus. (31 images)

The Frame: Upheaval expands in Libya

http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/02/upheaval-expands-in-libya.html

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Foreign mercenaries and Libyan militiamen loyal to Moammar Gadhafi tried to roll back the uprising against his rule that has advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli, attacking two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 15 people. But rebels made new gains, seizing a military air base, as Gadhafi blamed Osama bin Laden for the upheaval. Most of the eastern half of Libya has already broken away, and diplomats, ministers and even a high-ranking cousin have abandoned Gadhafi, who has ruled Libya for 41 years. He is still believed to be firmly in control only of the capital, some towns around it, the far desert south and parts of Libya’s sparsely populated center.(40 images)