Lord Ahmed of Rotherham warns fighting will eventually lead to genocide and widespread bloodshed and must be stopped

A British peer has made a personal trip to the Libyan capital in an attempt to kickstart a peace process, warning of "genocide" if either loyalist forces, or rebels are seen to win the war.

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, who has gained a reputation as a regional trouble shooter said widespread bloodshed was likely "if the government took control of the country or if the rebels did".

"If there is no solution and the tribes are fighting each other then God forbid it would be a disaster for us all," he said speaking among a gathering of tribal leaders.

Ahmed said the 1,400 plus sorties flown so far by Nato jets had achieved little. "And … if people continue to die because of this that is something I do not wish to have on my conscience."

Ahmed has criticised Britain's interventionism over the past decade. He was a staunch critic of the invasion of Iraq and has made trips to both Gaza and Sudan in an bid to broker peace.

"It is my wish to try to help the brothers who have fallen out to become friends again - to create peace and reconciliation with them. We do not want to see Libya become another Afghanistan," he said.

He said he would return to Libya with members from both sides of the House of Lords, describing this visit as a fact-finding mission. No meetings with senior regime officials were arranged.

"Some of my colleagues in Europe do not understand the tribal set-up of this part of the world. I am not sure whether Mr Sarkozy, or Mr Berlusconi have the answers."

Meanwhile Nato's secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Colonel Gaddafi's 42-year regime was nearing an end. Nato jets, which are responsible for enforcing a UN mandated no fly zone over Libya have been relatively quiet over the past week after earlier targeting sites across the country. Heavy fighting was again reported in Misrata.