Libya conflict: Fighting rages in Ajdabiya – in pictures

Rebel fighters prepare an anti-aircraft machine gun at a checkpoint near Ajdabiya city Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

A Libyan family leaves Ajdabyia for Benghazi. Rebels vowed they would reclaim Ajdabiya, just west of the opposition stronghold Benghazi, by nightfall Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Protesters gather for a demonstration against Muammar Gaddafi in Benghazi Photograph: Suhaib Salem/Reuters

A Libyan man is comforted by hospital staff in Benghazi after identifying his brother in the morgue. His brother was killed in fighting around Ajdabiya city Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP

Mourners near the grave of a rebel killed by loyalist forces in Ajdabiyah say prayers during his funeral in Benghazi Photograph: Suhaib Salem/Reuters

One of six Danish F-16 fighters based in the Italian military airport of Sigonella lands. The fighter jets did not take part in bombings during the air campaign Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

A Libyan rebel covered with the rebellion flag looks at a row of rebels massed several kilometres from the key city of Ajdabiya Photograph: Patrick Baz/AFP

Damaged missiles, training and maintenance equipment, destroyed by cruise missile strikes at the Libyan navy's Abu Sitr base in Tripoli Photograph: Scott Peterson/Getty Images

Italian soldiers view a Hercules C130 at Sigonella military airport in southern Italy Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Libyans inspect the remains of a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that crashed after a suspected malfunction Photograph: Sean Smith for the Guardian

A Libyan man stands near cars damaged by coalition air strikes at the naval military facility in People's Port, eastern Tripoli Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters

Libyan rebels run for cover as they come under tank fire from Muammar Gaddafi's forces on the outskirts of Ajdabiya Photograph: Patrick Baz/AFP

An F-16 fighter from Denmark's air force takes off from the Italian military airport of Sigonella Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

Libyan rebels unload rocket-propelled grenades from a car several kilometres from the key city of Ajdabiya Photograph: Patrick Baz/AFP

Rebels stop their vehicle as mortars are fired by Gaddafi's forces on the frontline Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP

Store shutters close in a medina in Tripoli Photograph: Jerome Delay/AP

Rebels retreat as mortars are fired by Muammar Gaddafi's forces on the outskirts of Ajdabiya Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP