On Monday, the rebels reached Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte, but pro-Qaddafi troops have since forced them to retreat toward safer ground. Above, armed Libyan rebels stand guard at a checkpoint outside the city of Brega on March 27.

Libyan rebels progress westward from the town of Bin Jawad toward Sirte -- Qaddafi's hometown -- on March 28. 

Libyan rebels hold their positions on the outskirts of the town of Bin Jawad on March 27. 

Libyan rebels pray on March 27 near Ajdabiya, which was the scene of fierce fighting the day before. The airstrikes by coalition military forces assisted the rebel advance.

Libyan boys play on a tank that belonged to pro-Qaddafi forces on March 28 in Benghazi, the stronghold of Libya's revolutionaries. Life in Benghazi has returned to some semblance of normality, but the insurgents say it will not become the capital of a rebel state -- they still aver that they will take Tripoli. 

Libyan rebels celebrate as they advance toward Sirte on March 28.

Libyan rebels show identity cards and passports at an opposition-held checkpoint outside the village of Harawa.

A Libyan rebel examines a multiple rocket launcher (MRL) on the outskirts of the town of Bin Jawad on March 27.

Libyan rebels progress westward from the village of Harawa toward Sirte on March 28, 2011.

Libyan rebels mass on the outskirts of Bin Jawad on March 27.

Libyan rebels gather along the front line close to Bin Jawad on March 28 as they are shelled by forces loyal to Qaddafi.

A Libyan rebel mans a mobile anti-aircraft cannon on the road from Bin Jawad to Sirte on March 28.

A Libyan rebel flashes a victory-sign in front of a burning tank that belonged to loyalist forces in the town of Ajdabiya on March 26.

On the road west to Sirte on March 28.

Libyan rebels inspect a burning multi-rocket launcher at sunset outside the oil rich town of Ras Lanuf on March 27.

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