Libyan minister: Nato's 'final' bombing will fail

Libya today accused Nato of intensifying its bombing campaign to soften government defences so the rebel army can continue its push to Tripoli.

Deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim said the increased bombings represent the "final phase" of the air campaign. But he said the push would fail.

The claims came as rebels in the west claimed to have taken control of the village of Gualish, 60 miles from Tripoli. Their next target is the garrison town of Garyan, which controls the main road towards the capital.

Mr Kaim claimed Nato had targeted police checkpoints in the Nafusa mountains and said a fuel depot was also destroyed. The intensified campaign, he claimed, is focused on targeting civilian infrastructure and providing additional weapons to rebel fighters.

Nato said it hit equipment used to refuel government military vehicles.

Today Nato secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance had damaged or destroyed more than 2,700 military targets since its campaign began in March.

He told reporters: "For Gaddafi, the game is over."