As European NATO powers hailed the coming of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as coming lull and opening for dialogue Libya's rebels hope for a decisive victory.
 
Libya's  eccentric strongman Muamarr Qaddafi has called on loyal tribes to retake Misrata while rebels, inspired by a seventh century battle led by the prophet Muhammad, are keeping the pressure on. 
 
But Libyan rebels also began the month of fasting and prayer riled by internal dissention after the mysterious assassination of their top military commander.
 
The killing of Abdel Fatah Younes brought into question the ability of the rebel movement to present a unified force capable of defeating Qaddafi. 
 
The slaying raises questions about who would lead Libya if Qaddafi falls - even as the United States prepares to turn the Libyan embassy in Washington DC over to rebel representatives. 
 
For rebels, who have yet to score a decisive breakthrough as make plodding gains, a lull in fighting during Ramadan could derail their momentum and give Qaddafi a chance to reinforce his lines.
 
The rebels' NATO allies also say their resolve is firm, but the civil war has ground into its sixth month and some members of the alliance are looking for an exit strategy from a campaign that is taking longer than they expected.
 
But the opening days of relative calm in Ramadan may not provide the lull some NATO members are hoping for. 
 
Fighters and commanders in the west, some 50 miles from Tripoli, say they hope to emulate the Battle of Badr, when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers attacked their enemies in the middle of Ramadan.