NATO ships force Gadhafi's tanks back from western cities

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP)

NATO ships patrolled off Libya's coast Wednesday as airstrikes, missiles and energized rebels forced Moammar Gadhafi's tanks to roll back from two key western cities, including one that was the hometown of army officers who tried to overthrow him in 1993.

Libya's opposition took haphazard steps to form a government in the east, as they and the U.S.-led force protecting them girded for prolonged and costly fighting.

Despite disorganization among the rebels - and utter confusion over who would ultimately run the international operation - the airstrikes and missiles seemed to have their intended effect in Libya, at least for now.