LONDON: Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi scavenged for food and hid in abandoned houses during his final days, it was reported here.
Gaddafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years, was killed Oct 20 by National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters near his hometown of Sirte.
Mansour Dao, one of Gaddafi's top security officials, told CNN that Gaddafi spent his final weeks scavenging for food and hiding in abandoned houses in Sirte.
Bereft of the comforts and luxuries that he enjoyed, Gaddafi lived without electricity or TV as the heavily-armed rebels advanced.
Dao, who is currently lodged at a detention facility in Libya's Misrata city, said Gaddafi survived on scraps of food he found in deserted houses. He was also engrossed in reading books he had stacked in his suitcases.
He said Gaddafi's behaviour became "unpredictable" as the fighters rapidly advanced, reported Daily Mail.
The Libyan leader formed a plan to flee to his birthplace, Jaref village located 20 km west of Sirte.
"He was very worried and erratic - this could be because he was afraid.
"He wanted to go to his village, maybe he wanted to die there or spend his last moments there," Dao was quoted as saying.
Gaddafi believed he could have continued to lead Libya and Dao added: "It's not easy for someone who has been in power for 42 years to believe that it is over in a minute."