Libyan rebels' geared for a further westward push toward Tripoli on Monday, March 28, after their progress toward Sirte got a boost from Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown being pounded by a coalition air raid.

NATO finally took full command of military operations in Libya from a U.S.-led coalition Sunday, enabling the alliance to strike at Gadhafi forces should they threaten civilians.

That command transfer came as the capital Tripoli came under attack by what state television called "the colonial aggressor," hours ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's planned address Monday in Washington to explain U.S. involvement.

The rebels' pursuit of Gadhafi forces saw them wrest back control of key oil town Ras Lanuf and press on as far as Nofilia with the strongman's hometown of Sirte firmly in their sights 100 kilometers (60 miles) further along the road where the next major battle was expected.

Two loud explosions were heard around 1800 GMT Sunday in Sirte as planes flew overhead, an AFP correspondent reported, while in the capital Tripoli explosions and anti-aircraft fire were reported.

Shortly after the explosions in Sirte, Libyan television confirmed the city had been the target of air raids, as had Tripoli.

Witnesses in the capital said the strikes targeted the road to the airport 10 kilometers (six miles) outside the city, as well as the Ain Zara neighborhood on its eastern outskirts, AFP reports.