AJDABIYA, Libya — Moammar Gadhafi's forces fired rockets along the eastern front line and shelled the besieged city of Tuesday as France and Britain urged their NATO allies, including the United States, to intensify the campaign against the Libyan regime.
But hopes for a rebel military victory have faded and diplomatic efforts to find a solution were picking up momentum. On Wednesday, diplomats will meet in the tiny Gulf nation of Qatar for a meeting of the Libya contact group, which aims to coordinate an international response to the conflict.
On Monday, African leaders tried to broker a cease-fire but were immediately shot down when the opposition insisted that Gadhafi give up power immediately.
The Libyan rebels have proven to be far weaker and outnumbered by Gadhafi's forces and without NATO airstrikes, they could face a crushing military defeat. So any realistic rebel hopes of unseating Gadhafi now rest firmly on international political pressure combined with sustained NATO airstrikes.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said NATO was not doing enough to ease the pressure on Misrata. He also said the alliance should be firing on the weapons being used by Gadhafi's troops to target civilians in Misrata, the only city in western Libya that is still partially in the hands of rebels. International groups are warning of a dire humanitarian crisis in Misrata, Libya's third-largest city.
Paris lamented the limited U.S. military role in Libya and chided Germany for its lack of involvement. In a dire analysis, France's defense minister acknowledged that without full American participation in the combat operation, the West probably can't stop Gadhafi's attacks on besieged rebel cities.
Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague agreed that the allies must "intensify" their efforts.
France has played a particularly aggressive role in Libya in recent weeks, pushing diplomatically for a U.N. resolution to allow the international military operation and firing the first strikes in the campaign. France also was the first to recognize the Libyan opposition and to send a diplomatic envoy to the rebel-held city of Benghazi.
A NATO general rejected the criticism and said the alliance is performing well and protecting civilians.
Dutch Brig. Gen. Mark Van Uhm said the alliance was successful in enforcing an arms embargo, patrolling a no fly zone and protecting civilians. "I think with the assets we have, we're doing a great job," he said.
NATO took over command of the operation over Libya from the U.S. on March 31.
NATO said Tuesday that its aircraft destroyed four tanks near Zintan, 75 miles southwest of the capital, Tripoli. A separate strike also destroyed an ammunition storage site southwest of Sirte, a Gadhafi stronghold and home to the Li
"We will continue to strike at the regime's supplies and supply lines and reduce their ability to fight," Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, the commander of the NATO operation, said.
In fighting on Tuesday, several rockets struck Ajdabiya, the main gateway town into the rebel-held east. Witnesses also reported shelling in Misrata.
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