Libya raids hit Gaddafi birthplace
Coalition air raids have hit Muammar Gaddafi's birthplace of Sirte, a key target for westward-advancing rebels. Sirte lies about halfway along the coast between Tripoli and and Benghazi.
Unconfirmed rumours that rebels had taken Sirte sparked celebratory gunfire overnight in their stronghold Benghazi. They came as NATO took full command of the whole military operation in Libya, intended to enforce a UN resolution to protect civilians.
The opposition has taken control of eastern areas, with Col Gaddafi's forces remaining in westward areas.
The air strikes, intended to prevent Col Gaddafi's forces from attacking civilian targets among the uprising against his rule, have allowed rebel forces to push westwards at a rapid speed along the coastal highway from their eastern stronghold of Benghazi. Col Gaddafi's forces.
In the last two days a number of coastal communities and important oil installations, including Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad, have fallen to the rebels since they took control of Ajdabiya.
