Rebels try to form govt in the east

Gadhafi forces roll back from two western cities after air strikes

BENGHAZI, Libya - NATO ships began patrolling off Libya's coast as air strikes, missiles and energized rebels forced Muammar 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.

Also on Wednesday, Libya's opposition took haphazard steps to form a government in the east, as they and the US-led force protecting them girded for prolonged and costly fighting. Despite disorganization among the rebels - and confusion over who would ultimately run the international operation - coalition air strikes and missiles seemed to thwart Gadhafi's efforts to rout his opponents, at least for now.