Gaddafi orders destruction of oil facilities as message

The reports, published in Time, say that this is intended to serve as a message to Libya’s rebellious tribes: ‘It's either me or chaos’.

The source quoted by the report added Gaddafi's desperation has a lot to with the fact that he now can only count on the loyalty of his tribe, the Qadhadhfa. And as for the army, as of Monday he only has the loyalty of approximately 5,000 troops.

They are his elite forces, the officers all handpicked. Among them is the unit commanded by his second youngest son Khamis, the 32nd Brigade. (The total strength of the regular Libyan army is 45,000.)

The source adds that Gaddafi has told people around him that he knows he cannot retake Libya with the forces he has. But what he can do is make the rebellious tribes and army officers regret their disloyalty, turning Libya into another Somalia.

"I have the money and arms to fight for a long time," Gaddafi reportedly said.

 The reports come in the wake of Ghaddafi’s second television address since the start of the current unrest, during which he said he will not leave Libya and will die a martyr. Among other things he declared himself "the leader of the revolution... Revolution means sacrifice until the very end of your life."

"I will fight until the last drop of blood with the people behind me. I haven't even started giving the orders to use bullets - any use of force against authority of state will be sentenced to death," he said quoting from his Green book.

"They are just imitating Egypt and Tunisia," he said referring to protestors, claiming they want to turn Libya into an Islamic state.

"If you love Muammar Gaddafi you will go out and secure Libya's streets."

He gave protesters until Wednesday to remove all placards and barricades. After that, the police and army will move forcefully against them, he said. Opposition activists will be executed without mercy, he said. "They will beg for pardon, but they will not be pardoned," he said.