BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) -- Foreign mercenaries and Libyan militiamen loyal to Moammar Gadhafi tried to roll back the uprising against his rule that has advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli, attacking two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 15 people. But rebels made new gains, seizing a military air base, as Gadhafi blamed Osama bin Laden for the upheaval. Most of the eastern half of Libya has already broken away, and diplomats, ministers and even a high-ranking cousin have abandoned Gadhafi, who has ruled Libya for 41 years. He is still believed to be firmly in control only of the capital, some towns around it, the far desert south and parts of Libya's sparsely populated center.(40 images)
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Demonstrators demand the removal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. Eastern Libya is largely under opposition control, as Gaddafi's forces battled rebels near the capitol Tripoli. Getty Images / John Moore
Demonstrators climb atop an army talk while taking a break in a protest demanding the removal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. Eastern Libya is now largely under opposition control, as Gaddafi's forces battled rebels near the capitol Tripoli. Getty Images / John Moore
Demonstrators climb flag poles during a protest demanding the removal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. With eastern Libya now largely under opposition control, people have been celebrating life outside of Gaddafi rule. Getty Images / John Moore
An opposition militiaman stands guard in front of the charred national security building on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. The building was destroyed last weekend as opposition forces battled troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Benghazi is now largely under opposition control, as Gaddafi's forces battled rebels near the capitol Tripoli. Getty Images / John Moore
Citizens tour an an underground jail that oppostion supporters excavated at a palace compound of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. Getty Images / John Moore
A Libyan border guard walks through an empty customs hall on February 24, 2011 on the Libya-Egyptian border. Eastern Libya is now largely under opposition control, while forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi battled rebels near the capitol Tripoli. Getty Images / John Moore
Libyans celebrate outside the court house in the eastern dissident-held city of Benghazi on February 24, 2011 amid political turmoil and an insurrection against Moamer Kadhafi's regime. AFP/ Getty Images / Gianluigi Guercia
A Libyan man waves his old national flag as many celebrate outside the court house in the eastern dissident-held city of Benghazi on February 24, 2011 amid political turmoil and an insurrection against Moamer Kadhafi's regime. AFP/ Getty Images / Gianluigi Guercia
An injured supporter of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi sits in prison in the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Beida on February 24, 2011 as the country witnesses political turmoil and an insurrection against Kadhafi's regime. AFP/ Getty Images / Gianluigi Guercia
A vandelized portrait of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi is used as a doormat at a prison in the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Beida on February 24, 2011 as the country witnesses political turmoil and an insurrection against Moamer Kadhafi's regime. AFP/ Getty Images / Gianluigi Guercia
Egyptians drive through the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Tobruk on February 24, 2011 as they flee the political turmoil in the midst of an insurrection against Moamer Kadhafi's regime. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
A Libyan protester holds a weapon as he shouts slogans against Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi, during a demonstration in Tobruk, Libya, Wednesday Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
A Libyan mortuary assistant stands in front of a room containing unidentified burned bodies of people killed during last week's demonstrations against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, at a morgue, in Benghazi, Libya, Thursday Feb. 24, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
A Libyan gunman flashes a V sign as he stands on a military truck loaded with launcher rockets at Al-Katiba military base after it fell to anti-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi protesters few days ago, in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday Feb. 24, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Anti-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi protesters demonstrate in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday Feb. 24, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Gunmen prepared to fight against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi stand on a small military truck with weapons taken from a Libyan military base, in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday Feb. 24, 2011. Army units and militiamen loyal to Moammar Gadhafi struck back Thursday against rebellious Libyans who have risen up in cities close to the capital, attacking a mosque where many were holding an anti-government sit-in and battling others who seized control of an airport. Medical officials said 15 people were killed in the clashes. AP / Hussein Malla
Members of Libya's police forces waving their old national flag transport children in their pick-up truck as they parade in the eastern city of Tobruk on February 24, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images /
A Libyan man closes a box of ammunition at Al-Katiba military base after it fell to anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi protesters, in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday Feb. 24, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
A Libyan man walks next to a destroyed storage inside Al-Katiba military base after it fell to anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi protesters, in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday Feb. 24, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Libyan protesters hold a caricature mocking leader Moamer Kadhafi during a rally in the eastern city of Tobruk on February 24, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
Libyan protesters ride on top of a fire brigade vehicule during a rally in the eastern city of Tobruk on February 24, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
Members of Libya's Internal Security Forces (ISF) parade in the eastern city of Tobruk on February 24, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
A Libyan anti-government protester holds his old national flag in front of a wall covered with graffiti against Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi in the eastern city of Tobruk on February 24, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images /
Residents stand on a tank holding a pre-Gadhafi era national flag inside a security forces compound in Benghazi, Libya on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. AP / Alaguri
Fire engines attend to the scene around a security forces compound, some buildings of which were burned including a guard post, center, in Benghazi, Libya on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. Libyan protesters celebrated in the streets of Benghazi on Monday, claiming control of the country's second largest city after bloody fighting, and anti-government unrest spread to the capital with clashes in Tripoli's main square for the first time. AP / Alaguri
A Libyan popular defence committee, holds his AK-47 as he flashes V sign in front an anti-aircraft missile at an abandoned Libyan military base near Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday, Feb.23, 2011. Heavy gunfire broke out in Tripoli as forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi tightened their grip on the Libyan capital while anti-government protesters claimed control of many cities elsewhere and top government officials and diplomats turn against the longtime leader. AP / Hussein Malla
Libyans shout anti-Kadhafi slogans during a demonstration in the eastern Libyan town of Derna, between Tobruk and Benghazi, on February 23, 2011 amid reports that Moamer Kadhafi's regime has lost vast swathes of Libya's east to an insurrection. AFP/ Getty Images /
Libyans shout anti-Kadhafi slogans during a demonstration in the eastern Libyan town of Derna, between Tobruk and Benghazi, on February 23, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images /
A young Libyan protester holds a makeshift placard with the Arabic writing "the tyrant of Libya" during an anti-Kadhafi demonstration in the eastern Libyan town of Derna, between Tobruk and Benghazi, on February 23, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images /
A Libyan protester protests against Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi, in Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Libyan protesters stand flash V signs as they shout slogans against their Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Libyan protesters hold signs and shout slogans against Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Libyan army soldiers and other protesters stand over an army van shouting slogans against Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
A Libyan man shouts slogans during a demonstration against Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi, in Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Libyan protesters stand atop a damaged police station as they burn an effigy of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya, Wednesday Feb. 23, 2011. AP / Hussein Malla
Papers are strewn on the floor of the burned central government building in Darnah, Libya, Wednesday. February 23, 2011. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
Residents of Darnah, Libya, celebrate in the main square Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Located near Benghazi, residents have taken control of the town from forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
Residents of Darnah, Libya, take to the streets, Wednesday, February 23, 2011, after liberating the town from forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
The old Libyan flag of black, red and green is hoisted into the air, Wednesday, February 23, 2011, as residents of Darnah, Libya, celebrate the liberation of their town from the control of forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco
A flag-waving child is hoisted into the air, Wednesday, February 23, 2011, as residents of Darnah, Libya, celebrate the liberation of their town from the control of forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Los Angeles Times / Luis Sinco