Gaddafi's Ukrainian nurse deserts the dictator who 'cannot travel' without her

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's confidant, described as a voluptuous blond Ukrainian nurse, has deserted the dictator amid violent protests in the country demanding his ouster.

Guardian reported that the Ukrainian nurse Galyna Galyna Kolotnytska alighted in Kiev on Sunday on a Ukrainian defense ministry aircraft that flew 185 people out of the North African country.

Daily Mail had reported that leaked cables by whistle-blower site Wikileaks stated that the Libyan leader relies heavily on the Ukrainian nurse to the extent that he cannot travel without her as she alone knows his routine. The Wikileaks cable also stated: A Ukrainian political officer recently confirmed that the Ukrainian nurses 'travel everywhere with the Leader'.

However, his reliance on his Ukrainian nurse is not his only claim to eccentricity, other fabled ways include his penchant for virgin bodyguards and he is known to carry a giant Bedouin tent during his diplomatic visits, from where he conducts business.

Wikileaks report added other details of Gaddafi's unconventional behavior. The report stated that Gaddafi has severe phobias -- he is afraid of sleeping above the ground level and his other idiosyncrasies include his love for flamenco dancing and horse racing.

While Wikileaks cable states that some contacts claim that Gaddafi is romantically involved with Galyna Kolotnytska, British tabloid Sun reported that the 40-year old Kolotnytska's daughter Tatiana said that her mother denies any such involvement. Tatiana said that When the leaks emerged she called me saying she was horrified by the rumors and could not understand where this nonsense came from.

The report of Kolotnytska's departure follows earlier reports of key diplomats and officials fleeing the nation even as Gaddafi's attempts to suppress the protests resulted in over 1,000 deaths.