Tripoli, Libya — Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi enters the Rixos Hotel. He was expected to speak with a select group of journalists gathered there.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24374

0

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Rebel lookouts scan the sky for enemy aircraft over Ras Lanuf, a center for oil production west of Benghazi, which was bombed Tuesday by forces loyal to Moammar Kadafi.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24346

1

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Rebel reinforcements arrive.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24347

2

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Rebels pray at the gate to port town.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24348

3

Ras Lanuf, Libya — The city, west of Bernghazi, has become a virtual ghost town as it sits at the front lines of fighting between rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24349

4

Ras Lanuf, Libya — A rebel fighter guards the oil refinery.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24350

5

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Anti-aircraft rounds sit on the roof of a pickup truck.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24351

6

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Libyan rebels run for cover as an air force jet flying overhead drops a bomb on the outskirts of the oil-rich town of Ras Lanuf.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MARCO LONGARI / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24295

7

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Forces fighting Moammar Kadafi take cover as their position is bombed.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: KIM LUDBROOK / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24296

8

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Libyan rebels flee during bombing by the Libyan air force. They have been in retreat, fighting to hold an important oil complex as Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi's aircraft scatters them with strafing runs.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: KHALED ELFIQI / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24297

9

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Rebels load ammunition into an anti-aircraft gun as Libyan fighter jets fly overhead at the entrance to Ras Lanuf.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24298

10

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Tuesday brought constant bombardment.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: KIM LUDBROOK / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24299

11

Ras Lanuf, Libya — A rebel fires on government jets. Momentum that rebels may have mustered from two quick battlefield successes was gone by Tuesday. Inexperience and seat-of-the-pants combat, as well as a premature all-day celebration Saturday, gave Kadafi's forces an opening to fight back.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hussein Malla / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24300

12

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Medical personnel transport an injured rebel.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hussein Malla / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24301

13

Ras Lanuf, Libya — Rebels prepare anti-aircraft munitions.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hussein Malla / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=24302

14