Britney's paparazzi friend splits with his wife

Los Angeles, January 23, 2008 Berry, representing herself in court papers, seeks spousal support, and for Ghalib to pay her legal fees, the filing said. Her phone number wasn't listed.

In recent weeks, Ghalib has been seen accompanying Spears on shopping excursions, restaurant outings and trips to the courthouse in her custody case with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Ghalib is said to work for the photo agency FinalPixx. An after-hours call to the agency wasn't answered Tuesday.

Ghalib told the syndicated television magazine show "The Insider" on Tuesday that he had photographed Spears for several years before they grew closer in late December. He said their relationship blossomed after Spears was released from a hospital following a standoff in her home when she refused to return her two sons to Federline's bodyguard.

"We managed to spend a long time together, away from the media," Ghalib said.

In another interview with the TV show "Entertainment Tonight," Ghalib denied accusations that he was profiting from his relationship with the 26-year-old pop star.

"A lot of people perceive to know or understand her, she's the most photographed woman in the world," Ghalib said. "But if you take time to scratch the surface, then you can understand how amazing she is."

On the Net: "The Insider": http://www.theinsideronline.com/ "Entertainment Tonight": http://www.etonline.com/

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)