After weeks of debate, the United Nations finally approved a no-fly zone in Libya, helping rebels fighting Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy at perhaps the last possible moment. Rebels had been driven back by the Libyan army to their last stronghold, the eastern city of Benghazi, and appeared ready to be overrun there as well. Two nights of bombardment by coalition forces have sent the army into retreat, and a missile struck Khadafy's compound in Tripoli, but the final outcome of the conflict is far from clear. Collected here are images from the last few days of fighting.
Vehicles belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi explode after an air strike by coalition forces, along a road between Benghazi and Ajdabiyah March 20.
Libyan rebels carry an injured comrade following a failed attempt to take the town of Ajdabiya from Moammar Khadafy's forces on March 21 as news reports said Libyan government forces pulled back 60 miles from rebel-held Benghazi after Western-led air strikes destroyed much of their armor.
A Libyan jet bomber crashes after being shot down in Benghazi on March 19 as Libya's rebel stronghold came under attack, with at least two air strikes and sustained shelling of the city's south sending thick smoke into the sky.
A rebel fighter supporter shoots into the air as she reacts to the news of the withdrawal of Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's forces from Benghazi March 19
Rebel fighters ride on a tank captured from Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's forces in Benghazi March 19.
Libyan army soldiers stand on a building, destroyed in what the government said was a Western missile attack, inside Bab Al-Aziziyah, Khadafy's heavily-fortified Tripoli compound March 21.
A supporter of Moammar Khadafy shows pieces of shrapnel from what the government said was a Western missile attack on a building inside Bab Al-Aziziyah, Khadafy's heavily-fortified Tripoli compound March 21
A man fires his pistol in the air during a celebratory rally after the United Nations approved a no-fly zone over the country on March 18 in Tobruk, Libya. Libya declared an immediate cease-fire after the UN vote but reports indicated that Moammar Khadafy's forces were still shelling two cities.
A rebel fighter shows hand grenades found on fighters loyal to Moammar Khadafy after they were killed by rebel fighters in Benghazi March 19. Khadafy's forces pushed into the rebel-held city of Benghazi on Saturday, defying world demands for an immediate ceasefire.
Aisha Khadafy, daughter of Moammar Khadafy, holds a Libyan flag as she greets supporters at Bab Al-Aziziyah in Tripoli March 19. Thousands of Libyans packed into Moammar Khadafy's heavily fortified Tripoli compound on Saturday to form a human shield against possible air strikes by allied forces.
Vehicles belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi explode after an air strike by coalition forces, along a road between Benghazi and Ajdabiyah March 20.
Libyan rebels carry an injured comrade following a failed attempt to take the town of Ajdabiya from Moammar Khadafy's forces on March 21 as news reports said Libyan government forces pulled back 60 miles from rebel-held Benghazi after Western-led air strikes destroyed much of their armor.
A Libyan jet bomber crashes after being shot down in Benghazi on March 19 as Libya's rebel stronghold came under attack, with at least two air strikes and sustained shelling of the city's south sending thick smoke into the sky.
A rebel fighter supporter shoots into the air as she reacts to the news of the withdrawal of Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's forces from Benghazi March 19
Rebel fighters ride on a tank captured from Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's forces in Benghazi March 19.
Libyan army soldiers stand on a building, destroyed in what the government said was a Western missile attack, inside Bab Al-Aziziyah, Khadafy's heavily-fortified Tripoli compound March 21.
A supporter of Moammar Khadafy shows pieces of shrapnel from what the government said was a Western missile attack on a building inside Bab Al-Aziziyah, Khadafy's heavily-fortified Tripoli compound March 21
A man fires his pistol in the air during a celebratory rally after the United Nations approved a no-fly zone over the country on March 18 in Tobruk, Libya. Libya declared an immediate cease-fire after the UN vote but reports indicated that Moammar Khadafy's forces were still shelling two cities.
A rebel fighter shows hand grenades found on fighters loyal to Moammar Khadafy after they were killed by rebel fighters in Benghazi March 19. Khadafy's forces pushed into the rebel-held city of Benghazi on Saturday, defying world demands for an immediate ceasefire.
Aisha Khadafy, daughter of Moammar Khadafy, holds a Libyan flag as she greets supporters at Bab Al-Aziziyah in Tripoli March 19. Thousands of Libyans packed into Moammar Khadafy's heavily fortified Tripoli compound on Saturday to form a human shield against possible air strikes by allied forces.
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