In Misrata, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the conflict, rebels were claiming victory on April 23 as forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi retreated. Libyan officials said the military would withdraw from the city and leave its fate in the hands of of the "tribes around Misrata and the Misrata people."
Besieged City of Misrata, Libya
The besieged city is seen from a high building in Misrata, Libya, April 23, 2011. Government troops retreated to the outskirts of Misrata under rebel fire and the opposition claimed victory after officials in Tripoli decided to pull back forces loyal to M
Bullet casings litter a street in Misrata, April 23, 2011. (AP image)
Libyan rebel fighters run across a street in Misrata, April 23, 2011. (AP image)
Rebel fighters search a building for pro-Gadhafi forces in the besieged city of Misrata, April 23, 2011. (AP image)
A Libyan man (C) receives his bread ration from a bakery in Misrata on April 23, 2011 as intense fighting gripped the city after Moammar Gadhafi's regime gave its army an "ultimatum" to take it back. (AFP image)
A wounded rebel receives medical treatment at the Al-Hikma hospital in the besieged city of Misrata, April 23, 2011. Misrata has been the scene of deadly urban guerrilla fighting between pro-Gadhafi forces and outgunned rebels for more than six weeks. (A
Injured Libyan civilians rest aboard a ship during an evacuation operation from Misrata organized by IOM (International Organization for Migration), April 23, 2011. (Reuters image)
Migrant workers from Africa jump off a truck after arriving in Misrata port during an evacuation operation organized by IOM (International Organization for Migration), April 23, 2011. (Reuters image)
A rebel sits inside a pick-up truck mounted with a helicopter rocket launcher at the western gate of the strategic town of Ajdabiya on April 23, 2011. Intense fighting gripped Misrata overwhelming its hospital with casualties after Moammar Gadhafi's regim
A Libyan rebel wearing woolen gloves and mask mans a heavy machine gun as he drives into the battle frontline at the western gate of the strategic town of Ajdabiya on April 23, 2011. (AFP image)
A rebel fighter mans a heavy machine-gun as he takes his position on the frontline along the western entrance of Ajdabiya, April 23, 2011. (Reuters image)
A rebel fighter holds a rocket launcher behind a banner that reads "Dangerous Sniper", at the frontline along the western entrance of Ajdabiya, April 23, 2011. (Reuters image)