Loud explosions shook Tripoli on Monday night in what appeared to be stepped up NATO air strikes on the Libyan capital, and rebel forces seized a town in the west, driving out Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Explosions were heard in Tripoli just before midnight, the latest in several rounds of bombings in the last two days.

Libyan TV said al-Karama neighbourhood was hit by NATO forces, which have been bombing targets of Gaddafi's government since March.