Phil Moore / AFP - Getty Images

An M23 rebel patrols in the hills surrounding the town of Mushaki, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on Nov. 29, 2012.

The AP reports: Rebels who last week seized Goma, one of the most important cities in eastern Congo, said they had pulled back slightly and were on track to leave the city by Friday, in accordance with a deadline imposed by the international community.

The apparent withdrawal of the M23 rebels indicates that international pressure may have succeeded in reversing the rebel advance and staved off what could have been the start of a new war between the enormous, jungle-covered nation of Congo and its much smaller and more affluent neighbor, Rwanda. Full Story

Jerome Delay / AP

M23 rebels gather in the eastern Congo town of Sake, some 17 miles west of Goma, Congo, on Thursday.

Jerome Delay / AP

Congolese people look at a Congolese government soldier as government troops gathered Thursday in a stadium near Minova, Congo, some 25 miles southwest of Goma, for a morale building session and an address by their commander, Gen. Bahouma.

Jerome Delay / AP

FARDC Congolese government special forces gather in a stadium near Minova, Congo on Thursday for a morale-building address by their commander.

Also on PhotoBlog:

• Congo's displaced wait for resolution
• Congo army fights back, rebels hold Goma
• Congo police surrender, hand in weapons as rebels take control of Goma

Khaled Elfiqi / EPA

A Libyan rebel soldier stands guard at their position on the road between Ajdabiya and Benghazi, Eastern Libya, 24 March. According to Libyan media sources, rebels vowed they would reclaim Ajdabiya, just west of the opposition stronghold Benghazi, by nightfall.

"Most of these 'rebels' were civilians only weeks ago, professional people, from all walks of life, who wanted to take advantage of the wave of change elsewhere to press for reforms so that all tribes in Libya got a fair shake," says veteran NBC News correspondent Jim Maceda. 

Anja Niedringhaus / AP

A Libyan rebel takes a nap on a checkpoint on the frontline near Zwitina, the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Thursday, March 24.

"But when those early protests were crused - often by live fire - many of these protesters took up arms for the first time," Maceda says.  "They are at a great disadvantage on the field of battle, reading manuals as they fight. A couple of army units defected to their side and really run the milittary operations. it's very hard to give figures on support for the rebels versus khaddafi's regime, as there are no elections here, no reliable polling and no free press. these are the goals of the opposition, now called rebels. Perhaps a better term would be 'revolutionaries' or 'minute men'."

Anja Niedringhaus / AP

A Libyan rebel takes a rest on a checkpoint on frontline near Zwitina, the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Thursday, March 24.

Aris Messinis / AFP - Getty Images

A Libyan rebel rests, a few kilometers on the road to Ajdabiya on March 24, as they try to retake the strategic eastern oil town from troops loyal to Moamer Kadhafi.

Aris Messinis / AFP - Getty Images

A Libyan rebel looks through binoculars as he prepares for battle against Kadhafi's loyal forces on March 24, a few kilometers from the key city of Ajdabiya as UN Secretary-General called today on both sides to cease fire, as the Security Council prepares to hold a new meeting on the crisis.

Veteran NBC News correspondent Jim Maceda has been in Tripoli reporting on the conflict for several weeks. He answered your questions about the conflict in Libya and what its like to cover the story. You can replay the chat here or view more images from Libya in our slideshow.