Ajdabiya, Libya - Muammar Gaddafi's forces fired rockets along the eastern front line and bombarded the besieged city of Misrata Tuesday as France and Britain urged its NATO allies, including the United States, to intensify the campaign against the Libyan regime.
But hopes for a military victory by the rebels have faded and diplomatic efforts to find a solution were gaining momentum. On Wednesday, diplomats will gather in the tiny Gulf nation of Qatar for a meeting of the Contact Group Libya, which aims to coordinate an international response to conflict.
On Monday, African leaders tried to negotiate a ceasefire, but were immediately shot down when the opposition insisted that Gaddafi to hand over power immediately.
For its part, the Libyan government spokesman Ibrahim Moussa insisted that any talk of giving up Gaddafi, who has also been suggested by some European officials, was "imperialist" thinking and complained that rebels had not followed the example acceptance of the African proposal.
Libya rebels have proved much weaker and outnumbered by the forces of Gaddafi and without NATO air attacks, which could face a crushing military defeat. So any realistic rebels hoping to topple Gaddafi now rest firmly on the international political pressure combined with sustained NATO airstrikes.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said NATO is not doing enough to relieve pressure on Misrata. He said the alliance must shoot the weapons used by the troops of targeting civilians Gaddafi in Misrata, the only city in western Libya, which remains partly in the hands of the rebels. International groups are warning of a serious humanitarian crisis in Misrata, the third largest city in Libya.
Paris regretted the limited U.S. military role in Libya and chided Germany for its lack of participation. In an analysis of serious French defense minister acknowledged that without full participation of America in combat operations, the West, probably can not stop attacks by rebels besieged cities Gadhafi.
Foreign Secretary of Britain, William Hague agreed that the allies must "intensify" their efforts.
France has played a particularly aggressive in Libya in recent weeks, diplomatic pressure for a UN resolution to allow an international military operation and the dismissal of the strike for the first time this season. France was also the first to recognize Libya's opposition to send a diplomatic envoy to the city by the rebels in Benghazi.
A NATO general rejected the criticism and said the alliance is working well and protect civilians.
Dutch Brig. The generalMark Van Uhm said the alliance was successful in implementing an arms embargo, patrolling no-fly zone and failing to protect civilians. "I think with the assets we have, we're doing a great job," he said.
NATO took command of the operation in Libya from the U.S. March 31.
NATO said on Tuesday its aircraft destroyed four tanks near Zinta, southwest 75 miles (120 kilometers) from the capital, Tripoli. A separate strike also destroyed an ammunition storage site to the southwest of Sirte, Gaddafi's stronghold and home to the tribe of Libyan leader, the military alliance said.
British patrol aircraft near Misrata also fired missiles and destroyed a tank, according to the UK military spokesman Major General John Lorimer.
"We will continue the strike at the regime supplies and supply lines and reduce their ability to fight," said the commander of the NATO operation, Canadian Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard.
In fighting on Tuesday, several rockets hit Ajdabiya, the main gateway city to the east by the rebels. Witnesses also reported bombing in Misrata.
Weeks of fierce bombardment of government Misrata have terrorized the inhabitants of the city, killing dozens of people and leaving food and medical supplies are scarce, according to residents, medical and rights groups.
"Unfortunately, the war machines of long-range forces Gaddafi, no place is safe in Misrata," said a medical officer in Misrata The Associated Press, asking that his name not be published for fear of reprisals. Six people were killed Monday and another body was taken on Tuesday, he said.
The Libyan government, however, said that problems in Misrata were the work of terrorists and the authorities were really working to help the people of the city.
"The Libyan government is doing everything possible to help the people of Misrata and foreign workers trapped there, under the conditions imposed by the terrorists, armed gangs," said spokesman Ibrahim.
Libyan opposition spokesman Ali al-Issawi said the soldiers have killed Gadhafi about 10,000 people across the country and 30,000 wounded, 7,000 of the wounded to fatal injuries. He said another 20,000 people were missing and suspected of being in prison for Gaddafi. But he did not say how he came to the number and no way to verify independently proposed restrictions on foreign journalists and international organizations operating in the interior of Libya.
Previous estimates of human rights groups and others had much lower death toll in the hundreds or few thousands.