Pressure is building on Gaddafi

New US intelligence reports from Libya indicate that rebel pressure is building against the regime of Moamer Gaddafi.

US officials familiar with the reports tell The Associated Press there are three indicators of increasing pressure on Gadhafi: dwindling fuel supplies, a cash crisis and reports of low morale among regime troops.

French authorities have described overtures from Libyan emissaries reportedly seeking sanctuary for the Libyan leader, who has survived sustained bombing by Nato war planes and US armed drones since mid-March.

The US officials say Libyan rebels have captured towns from Nalut to Kikla in Libya's western Nafusa mountains and cut a key crude oil pipeline that feeds one of the regime's major refineries.

The US officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters of intelligence.