Libyan rebels retreat from Bin Jawad

Under a barrage of mortar and possibly Grad rocket fire, rebels retreated from the town of Bin Jawad on Tuesday, roaring more than 100 kilometres east as they crumpled in the face of a counterattack by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The retreat marked an abrupt turnabout after rebels sped westward for two days following the opening of an air campaign against the Gaddafi regime by international forces.

Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from Ajdabiya.