Photo Gallery The Battle for Libya
A portrait of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi being used as a doormat in the eastern Libyan city of Al-Bayda. A crucial battle was fought between mercenaries loyal to Gadhafi and protesters at the city's airport. After three days, the demonstrators emerged victorious. But they paid a high price.
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has lost control of his country and large swaths have come under the control of anti-government protesters. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, once one of Gadhafi's closest allies, said on Saturday that "it looks as though Gadhafi has lost control of the situation in Libya."
To the last man? Gadhafi has armed civilians loyal to his regime to help defend Tripoli against government opponents. This image shows protesters in Tobruk in north-eastern Libya. The city of Tobruk has been in the hands of regime opponents for over a week.
The international community finally seems poised to take action with both the European Union and the United Nations calling for sanctions. The UN Security Council is meeting on Saturday. Here, a supporter of Gadhafi holds a figuring of the colonel in central Tripoli.
A protest in Benghazi. Protesters want to see the end of the Gadhafi regime.
Tens of thousands of foreign workers in Libya have been streaming out of the country in recent days. Here, several workers arriving home in the Philippines after escaping the violence.
A demonstrator in Benghazi waves the flag of the pre-Gadhafi monarchy, which has become the symbol of the protests.
A tank in the town of Al-Bayda. A bitter battle between rebels and African mercenaries hired by Gadhafi has become an important rallying cry for the revolution. The insurgents managed to beat back the mercenaries, but paid a heavy price.
Several units of the Libyan army have switched sides and now support the uprising.
Refugees have escaped Libya any way they can with several countries having sent ships to cities on the Libyan coast to evacuate their citizens. Here, refugees from Libya arrive in Malta.
The ship belonging to the British Royal Navy plans to head back to Libya for another load.
A British soldier carrying a child ashore in Malta after evacuating her from Libya.
Demonstrators are furious with Gadhafi, as can be seen here, with a protester levelling his weapon at a picture of the dictator.
The regime of Moammar Gadhafi has now said that it is open to negotiations with the demonstrators.
Armed opposition fighters in the coastal town of Benghazi. The city was one of the first to be liberated from Gadhafi's control.
Demonstrators have systematically destroyed government buildings in Benghazi, like this army barracks.
Refugees at the airport in Tripoli. Thousands of people are rushing to get out of the country.
Libya's United Nations Ambassador Abdurraham Mohamed Shalgam (left) is hugged by a Libyan diplomat after he denounced Gadhafi during a Friday Security Council meeting. Shalgam is a long-time friend and member of Gadhafi's inner circle.
Seif al-Islam al-Gadhafi is the dictator's best-known son. Here, he is speaking to the media during a Friday press conference. He says that his father's regime wants to negotiate with the protesters.
Refugees in Malta. Those escaping the violence in Libya have been brought to ports around the Mediterranean.
Police officers walking through the discarded belongings of people leaving Libya at the airport in Tripoli.
Here, a Gadhafi supporter has been taken into custody by regime opponents.
Anti-aircraft weapons in Brega, manned by a Gadhafi opponent.
Nobody knows how high the death toll of the last week of fighting in Libya might ultimately be. Here, a man waits to receive medical attention in the eastern town of Shahat on Friday.
Refugees who crossed the border into Egypt receiving bread and shelter.
Residents of Benghazi carrying the coffin of a protester who died in the fight for the city one week ago.
Funeral guests hold up pictures of the man who died. Some say that up to 500 people died in the fight for Benghazi, but few reliable figures have emerged.
A Libyan soldier who crossed the lines to become part of the so-called "Free Libyan Army" gives the peace sign in Tobruk.
