British defence chiefs are applying pressure on other Nato countries to intensify the bombing campaign against Muammar Gaddafi's regime amid deepening concerns that military action will end in stalemate.
Nearly two months since the start of air strikes against Libya, Nato chiefs fear divisions within the alliance, and at the UN, will lead to fewer air strikes just at a time when, they claim, the regime is starting to feel the pinch and even its core support showing signs of cracking.
They want Nato to expand its targets, as the UK and a number of smaller Nato nations already have done, to include more static targets such as command and control centres and not only those posing a direct and clear threat to Libyan civilians, such as tanks and artillery.
Well-placed British government officials made this plain on Sunday asGeneral Sir David Richards, chief of the defence staff, said that he wanted the rules of engagement changed so that attacks can be launched against the infrastructure propping up Gaddafi's regime.
"The vice is closing on Gaddafi, but we need to increase the pressure further through more intense military action," Richards told the Sunday Telegraph.
"We now have to tighten the vice to demonstrate to Gaddafi that the game is up and he must go," he added. "We need to do more.
"If we do not up the ante now there is a risk that the conflict could result in Gaddafi clinging to power."
Richards added: "At present Nato is not attacking infrastructure targets in Libya. But if we want to increase the pressure on Gaddafi's regime then we need to give serious consideration to increasing the range of targets we can hit."
Though he said that Nato forces were not targeting Gaddafi directly, the Libyan leader could become a legitimate target if he was discovered directing attacks against Libyan civilians.
The UN security council resolution allowed Nato to use "all necessary means" to protect civilians.
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