Global General

Gadhafi's nurse says he is in good health

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-07 06:51

Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi drives his personal cart in Tripoli after making a speech which he sought to defuse tensions after more than 10 days of anti-government protests in Libya, March 2, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Kiev, Ukraine - Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi is in good health and is a "great psychologist", one of his Ukrainian nurses told a local television channel.

The nurse, filmed secretly while reluctantly talking to a TVI reporter, was identified only by her first name Oksana. She left Libya in late February as Gadhafi's forces tried to quell a revolt that threatens his grip on power.

Gadhafi had a group of nurses from the former Soviet republic on his payroll. In the interview, aired late on Saturday, Oksana told TVI she had worked for Gadhafi for over two years.

"Two-and-a-half years ago Gadhafi was in Kiev with a visit," she said.

Recruiters invited her, among other candidates, to be interviewed by Gadhafi himself.

"It was like casting," Oksana said. "He is a great psychologist."

She said Gadhafi, 68, appeared healthy.

"The man is not 20-years old, sometimes he needs his (blood) pressure checked. He is probably in better health than you," she told the TVI reporter.

Oksana, who lives in a village outside Kiev, said there were a number myths about Gadhafi such as him living in a tent while on foreign trips.

"He does not live or sleep there (in the tent). And we don't sleep with him there," she said, dismissing reports he had romantic liasons with his nurses.

Reuters