Libya accepts senior State Department official apology for joking comment about Gadhafi

Libya accepts US apology

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libya has accepted an apology from senior U.S. State Department official for a joking remark he made about Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s call for holy war, against Switzerland.

Last week, Libya summoned the U.S. charge d’affaires and threatened negative repercussions if the U.S. failed to apologize.

Libyan Foreign Ministry statement said Wednesday it accepted the apology and welcomed resumption of visits.

Chief department spokesman P.J. Crowley, said Tuesday he was sorry for his remarks.

Asked on Feb. 26 to comment on Gadhafi’s call for jihad, Crowley said he was reminded of Gadhafi’s lengthy speech at the United Nations, which lacked “sense.”

Gadhafi called for a jihad against Switzerland after it voted to ban mosque minarets.