After days of attacks and counterattacks, the opposing forces appeared to dig in east of the capital Tuesday, with rebels clinging to the oil-refinery town of Ras Lanuf and Mr. Gadhafi’s forces solidifying their hold on the small town of Bin Jawad just to the west…

Libyan government forces appear more cohesive and have been able to regroup, a senior U.S. official said.

“What we’re looking at right now—and things can change on a dime in these kinds of fluid conflicts—is basically a stalemate in certain parts of Libya,” another U.S. official said. “Gadhafi has solidified his control of some areas while the rebels have the upper hand in other places.”…

Col. Gadhafi’s loyalists also launched an attack on Zawiya, the rebel-held city closest to Tripoli and the sole rebel redoubt in western Libya, the Associated Press reported, citing a witness. Col. Gadhafi’s tanks and fighting vehicles were roaming the city and firing randomly at homes, the witness said.