CAIRO — The regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi, despite its string of victories over the opposition, was believed to be running out of military supplies.

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The diplomats said Gadhafi has failed to acquire the massive supplies required, Middle East Newsline reported. They said NATO operations have blocked shipments from suppliers in the former Soviet Union and neighboring Egypt.

Earlier this month, a Gadhafi envoy, identified as Maj. Gen. Abdul Raham Al Sid, arrived in Cairo for meetings with Egypt's new military regime. The diplomats said Al Sid left Cairo on March 10 after failing to win agreement for an immediate Egyptian re-supply of the Libyan military.

"He came back empty-handed," the diplomat said.

The diplomats said Gadhafi was believed to need an immediate supply of weapons and munitions to sustain the military's drive in rebel-held areas of Libya. They said the equipment would be crucial in stopping rebel counterattacks against cities already captured by the regime.

Gadhafi's son, Seif Al Islam, has already criticized Egypt for its refusal to help the regime. Seif said Egypt has joined Libya's enemies in trying to overthrow his father.

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