Two contrasting reports from Afghanistan on attempts to create local police and military forces capable of controlling the troubled country when the US and NATO leaves.

Afghan Special Ops Units May Be Key to US Exit

(Associated Press: 0851 PT, May 10, 2011) US personnel have been training and fighting alongside Afghan special operations forces. The development of such commandos may be key if Americans are to reduce their presence in the country.

Politics Dominate Afghan Police Force

(Al Jazeera English: 0238 PT, May 10, 2011) The Afghan Local Police (ALP) has been expanding fast across the country over the past year. Community-based units, they are seen as a pet project of NATO commander General David Petraeus, who has described the ALP as having a significant impact. But the police force has also faced allegations of theft, abduction and intimidation. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from Maidan Wardak province.

(Al Jazeera English: 0815 PST, March 29, 2011) Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have forced opposition fighters to abandon the town of Bin Jawad, a day after they had taken it, and retreat further east to Ras Lanuf.

(Al Jazeera English: 0510 PST, March 29, 2011) The retreat reversed a rapid, two-day advanced that saw the pro-democracy fighers push from Ajdabiya to Nawfaliya, where they met strong resistance. The mostly young, untrained fighters have not been able to adapt to combat and do not take standard military precautions to defend themselves, James Bays reports.

Reports indiciate that allied air strikes are making a difference on the ground in Libya, with momentum shifting away from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. However, rebels are still finding progress difficult in many areas.

Air Strikes Offer Libya's Rebels Reprieve

(Euronews: 0728 PST, March 22, 2011) Only a few days ago Libyan rebels were on the verge of being crushed by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. However, the heavy bombardment by the Western led coalition appears to have swung the momentum in Libya's civil war.

The main road out of the eastern city of Benghazi is now littered with the regime's vehicles scorched by attacks from the air. That has allowed the opposition to push towards Ajdabiya, though for the time being the town remains under Gaddafi's control.

Front Line Stalls Outside Ajdabiya

(Al Jazeera English: 0541 PST, March 22, 2011) Four days into an international military operation that has crippled Muammar Gaddafi's air force and air defence and forced the retreat of his ground troops in the east, rebels still can't seem to break through to Ajdabiya. Al Jazeera's James Bays filed this report 9km outside the town, where the AJE team had earlier come under missile fire from Gaddafi's forces.

Libya: France 24 Exclusive from Zintan

(France 24: 0620 PST, March 22, 2011) France 24 reports on the stand-off in Zintan, a rebel-held town in the west of Libya encircled by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

(Euronews: 0816 PST, March 21, 2011) Western powers appear to have tightened their grip on Libyan airspace following the latest wave of air strikes. The on-going bombardment comes as more forces arrive to take part in operation Odyssey Dawn.

The U.S., France, and UK remain the principle participants among the allies, with Canada, Italy, and Spain also contributing forces. Norway is also taking part in the operation, with Denmark, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar also sending military hardware, notably fighter jets.

Rejoicing in Libya's Benghazi

(Al Jazeera English: 0612 PST, March 21, 2011) Pro-democracy fighters have been celebrating in the second Libyan city of Benghazi after French jets demolished Muammar Gaddafi's heavy armour that was heading their way. Al Jazeera's James Bays visited the site of the attack to file this report.