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)
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A Libyan rebel stands guard at a checkpoint on the frontline near Zwitina, on the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Thursday, March 24, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A Libyan rebel prays at a checkpoint on the frontline near Zwitina, on the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Thursday, March 24, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A Libyan rebel rests at a checkpoint on frontline near Zwitina, on the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Thursday, March 24, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Detainees sit against a wall inside a former regime internal security complex in Benghazi, Libya. The revolutionary government of Eastern Libya put more than 50 alleged African and Libyan prisoners-of-war on display for journalists Wednesday, March 23, 2011, claiming that they were captured by rebel forces in the fighting that has raged over the last month. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
Alfusainey Kambi, from Gambia, proclaims his innocence in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, against charges that he was serving with Moammar Gadhafi's military forces fighting against Libyan rebels, even as a revolutionary official confronts him with documents allegedly proving his involvement. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
Libyan men join a rally in support of the allied air campaigns against the troops of Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, eastern Libya, Wednesday, March 23, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A Libyan rebel points his weapon towards forces of Moammar Gadhafi, after mortars where fired on the frontline near Zwitina, on the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Wednesday, March 23, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyan rebels retreat as mortars from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyans inspect the wreckage of a US F15 fighter jet after it crashed in an open field in the village of Bu Mariem, east of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011, with both crew ejecting safely. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Lybian rebels deploy for a second day several kilometres from the key city of Ajdabiya to try to attack government forces that have encircled the town on March 22, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
Libyan rebels stop on the road as mortars from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline near the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A Lybian rebel sits on the back of a pickup truck as rebel forces mass for a second day several kilometres from the key city of Ajdabiya to try to attack government forces that have encircled the town. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
Libyan rebels duck for cover as they come under tank fire from Moamer Kadhafi's forces on the outskirts of Ajdabiya on March 22, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
A rebel fighter rolls toward the front lines in Zwitina, Libya, on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Fighting between rebels and forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi continued throughout the day in Ajdabiya, about six miles away. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
Rebel fighters stage a checkpoint in Zwitina, Libya, on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
Rebel fighters stage a checkpoint in Zwitina, Libya, on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
A wounded rebel fighter shouts words of encouragement to his comrades in Zwitina, Libya, on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, as he is transported by truck to a hospital in the rebel capital of Benghazi. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
A Libyan rebel prays next to his gun while another one kneels over the grave of his dead brother, killed in the fighting, on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Monday, March 21, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyans wave the French flag as they parade on a 155mm Howitzer belonging to Moamer Kadhafi forces in the eastern rebel-held city of Benghazi on March 21, 2011 as more countries joined the operation to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya and the Arab League reaffirmed support for the measure. AFP/ Getty Images /
Libyan rebels react on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Monday, March 21, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A Libyan rebel prays on the frontline on the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Monday, March 21, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyan rebels get resupplied with rockets on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Monday, March 21, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyan rebels arrive at the frontline on the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Monday, March 21, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A rebel fighter celebrates on a smoldering tank, Monday, March 21, 2011, in the village of Zwitina, Libya, located near Ajdabiya. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
A Libyan man gestures next to a bus burning on a road leading to the outskirts of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 20, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyan rebels celebrate with a pot of beans left behind by Moammar Gadhafi's forces when they retreated on the outskirts of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 20, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
A soldier's jacket belonging to forces of Moammar Gadhafi is displayed on a still burning tank on the outskirts of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 20, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
Libyan people celebrate on a tank belonging to the forces of Moammar Gadhafi in the outskirts of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 20, 2011. AP / Anja Niedringhaus
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