When I saw Gaddafi's forces [advancing], I couldn't stay at home and watch."
Mahmoud, an 18-year-old political science student
As coalition bombing missions continued, forces loyal to Col Gaddafi were forced to pull back from the rebel stronghold of Benghazi along the eastern coast.
The rebels went on to recapture the key coastal towns of Ajdabiya, Brega, Uqayla, Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad. But rebels were later forced to retreat east of Brega.
Over the coming days, rival forces battled for control of Brega. Coalition planes mistakenly hit a rebel position forcing them to retreat beyond Ajdabiya.
Elsewhere, coalition air strikes hit key Libyan military targets including positions in Misrata, Sirte, Brega, Ajdabiya and Tripoli, where Col Gaddafi's al Aziziya compound was bombed. Nato took command of coalition operations.
Fighting continued in the western towns of Zintan and Yafran and the situation in the besieged city of Misrata deteriorated. Aid agencies said the humanitarian situation had become critical.