[10/March/2010]

Washington, March 10 (Saba) - The U.S. State Department has apologized for comments made about Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's call for jihad, or holy war, against Switzerland, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Department spokesman P.J. Crowley, who made the dismissive comments, said they did not reflect U.S. policy and were not intended to offend.

P.J. Crowley said he regretted any offense called by his offhand remark, which came in response to a reporter's question about Gadhafi's recent call for a Muslim holy war against Switzerland for its ban on building new mosque minarets.

Last week, Libya said it might take action against U.S. business interests in Tripoli in the absence of a formal apology.

"These comments do not reflect U.S. policy and were not intended to offend," Crowley said. "I regret that my comments have become an obstacle to further progress in our bilateral relationship."
Crowley, who had previously said his remarks were not intended as a personal attack against Gadhafi, met with the Libyan ambassador to the United States last week to try and resolve the issue.

"I told the ambassador, I hope that we can use ongoing dialogue at high levels to continue to advance the U.S.-Libyan relationship," Crowley said.

Saba