Bob Drogin and Raja Abdulrahim report: "Libyan strongman Moammar Kadafi offered no concessions to protesters who have shaken his regime by capturing several major cities, denouncing them as drunkards, terrorists and 'drug-fueled mice' who should be executed. But Kadafi's tough 75-minute nationwide speech on Tuesday may not save a regime that after four decades in power seemed to be quickly disintegrating. With violence flaring in city after city, and key defections from his inner circle, he appeared out of touch and increasingly out of control."

A refugee from Libya waits for officials to allow traffic to proceed into Egypt at the border town of Salum, 02/22/11. (photo: Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)