Government forces in Libya have tried to storm the besieged city of Misrata.
NATO generals now acknowledge their air power is not enough to help insurgents remove Colonel Muammar Gaddafi by force alone.
Misrata, about 215km east of Tripoli, has been under siege for more than 40 days since the start of the uprising.
The rebels say government troops are advancing into eastern districts. Street fighting is continuing.
There has been a stalemate for a week with both sides making advances and then retreating behind secure lines at night.