A revolution underfoot

Revolutionaries had taken over much of Libya as February came to an end, stretching their control from the epicenter of the uprising in the eastern city of Benghazi to the outskirts of Tripoli in the west, with pro-government forces still holding the capital, several cities scattered around it and others in the south. More than 2,000 people are thought to have been killed, many more wounded and tens-of-thousands have fled their homes in the first two weeks of the uprising against the 42-year reign of Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi. The erratic and repressive ruler has been accused of deploying mercenaries, helicopter gunships and warplanes against mostly unarmed protesters. Since the revolt began mid-February, scores of army personnel have also defected to the opposition, joining a growing armed insurrection in a confrontation that is ever more resembling a civil war.  World leaders have called for Qadhafi to step down and threatened charges