New York, March 22 - Major US stock indices rallied Monday as last week's concerns about international crises eased.

Investors seemed to gain confidence amid reports of progress in efforts to regain control over Japan's quake-ravaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, along with the weekend imposition of a UN-backed no-fly zone to halt Libya's internal conflict.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 178.01 points, or 1.5 percent, to 12,036.53. The broader Standard and Poor's 500 Index leapt 19.18 points, or 1.5 percent, to 1,298.38. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index soared 48.42 points, or 1.83 percent, to 2,692.09.

The dollar edged up against the Japanese currency to 81.03 yen from 80.62 yen Friday. The US currency slipped against the euro to 70.3 euro cents from 70.54 euro cents. (dpa)