Gaddafi nurse Galyna Kolotnytska seeks asylum in Norway

A Ukrainian nurse described as a close confidante of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has applied for political asylum in Norway.

Galyna Kolotnytska was propelled into the spotlight when Wikileaks published a US embassy cable saying Colonel Gaddafi "relies heavily" on her.

It quoted a US diplomat describing her as as a "voluptuous blonde".

Ms Kolotnytska was evacuated from Libya in February and went into hiding in Ukraine to escape media attention.

She reportedly moved to Oslo in March to escape further media harassment.

"We have been informed by the immigration services that she has sought political asylum in Norway," Norwegian Police Security Service spokesman Siv Alsen said.

Officials gave no further details of the application.

The US cable revealed by Wikileaks said Ms Kolotnytska always travelled with Col Gaddafi as only she "knows his routine".

Immigration lawyer Arvid Humlen told the Associated Press that the asylum application was unlikely to be granted.

However, he said Ms Kolotnytska could be given permission to stay in Norway due to "additional threats" such as the risk of being targeted by Libyan agents.