Descending Into the Abyss: 12 Years Since Civil War Began in Libya

Boys play on a destroyed tank inside a vegetable market in Tripoli Street, the former center of fighting between the rebels and Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Misrata, Libya, on Sunday 22 May 2011.

A general view shows Tripoli's old town on 21 November 2008. The old town in Tripoli is still largely unspoiled by mass-tourism, though it is increasingly exposed to visitors from abroad since the UN embargo was lifted in 2003.

A Libyan protester holds up a sign against Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya on Wednesday 23 February 2011. Heavy gunfire broke out in Tripoli as forces loyal to Gaddafi tightened their grip on the Libyan capital and anti-government protesters, including top government officials and diplomats, turned against the long-time leader and claimed control of several cities elsewhere.

Libyan mourners carry the coffins of three protesters who were killed during the demonstrations against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in Benghazi, Libya, on Friday 25 February 2011.

A cameraman records anti-aircraft missiles at an abandoned Libyan military base near Tobruk, Libya, on Wednesday 23 February 2011.

A Libyan boy dances on the wall between the sea front promenade and the harbor of Tripoli on 19 August 2000.

F-18 growler jet fighters seen through a fence are parked at the Nato airbase in Aviano, Italy on Saturday 19 March 2011. At this point, NATO's top decision-making body was meeting to review military plans for a no-fly zone over Libya.

Smoke billows out from behind the trees after an air raid on the area of Tajura, 30km east of Tripoli, as loud explosions rocked the Libyan capital on 24 May 2011 when NATO unleashed a blitz oh the area in a bid to speed up the removal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In this photo taken on 20 May 2011, a Libyan official inspects damage on ships moored at the seaport in Tripoli, Libya. NATO fighter jets struck three ports in bombing runs overnight, targeting Gadhafi's navy.

An opposition fighter fires a machine gun at a fighter jet in Ras Lanuf city.

In this picture taken on 19 March 2011, a warplane of Gaddafi's forces is seen being shot down over the outskirts of Benghazi, eastern Libya.

Young women walk in Tripoli Street, the center of fighting between the rebels and Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Misrata, Libya, on Sunday 22 May 2011.

Residents lie in open graves and make the victory sign, to show their willingness to sacrifice themselves to the cause at a park in the main square in Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, in Libya on Sunday 27 February 2011. The placard bears the message: "There is no God but Allah. Martyrs are God's beloved."

Residents of Benghazi remove armored vehicles abandoned by the military.

This photo taken on Sunday 22 May 2011, shows a general view of Tripoli street from the terrace of a building used by snipers loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.