The U.S. State Department has apologized for remarks made by its spokesman, joking about Moammar Gaddafi's call for jihad against Switzerland.The State Department says a senior U.S. diplomat will travel to Tripoli to try to smooth over relations.
Tripoli has been denying entry visas to Americans since the remarks made on February 26.
Speaking to the press, U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley had said Gaddafi's call for jihad on Switzerland reminded him of a previous address by the Libyan leader which, he said, involved "lots of words and lots of papers flying all over the place, not necessarily a lot of sense."
Tripoli retaliated by denying visas to Americans and warning U.S. oil companies that this could have consequences for them as well.
Rumsfeld called it "provocative weakness."
| Mr. Rumsfeld has had moments of wisdom. |
