The butcher’s bill keeps rising and Khadafi’s plum out of excuses and people/groups to blame for the predicament of his own creation.

He’s ruled the country for more than 40 years with an eye to maintaining power and preventing coups (he came to power in one - so knows what happens next). He’ll do pretty much anything to hold on to power, and bringing in mercenaries is a logical extension since he can’t rely on his army and his security forces aren’t going to have much luck holding on to power outside of Tripoli at this point.

He’s putting himself on a career trajectory that puts him in line for a Ceauşescu-like ending.