Rebels retreat after hammering by Gadhafi's forces

RAS LANOUF, Libya (AP)

Moammar Gadhafi's forces hammered rebels with tanks and rockets, turning their rapid advance into a panicked retreat in an hourslong battle today.

The fighting underscored the dilemma facing the U.S. and its allies in Libya:

Rebels may be unable to oust Gadhafi militarily unless already contentious international airstrikes go even further in taking out his forces.

Opposition fighters pleaded for strikes as they fled the hamlet of Bin Jawwad, where artillery shells crashed thunderously, raising plumes of smoke.

No such strikes were launched during the fighting, and some rebels shouted, "Sarkozy, where are you?" - a reference to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, one of the strongest supporters of using air power against Gadhafi.