Ban disappointed at Gaddafi's call for Jihad against Switzerland

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday said it is "unfortunate" that the diplomatic dispute between Libya and Switzerland has escalated to the point that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has reportedly asked for Jihad against Switzerland.

"The Secretary-General feels that it is unfortunate this matter has escalated in this way. He strongly believes that differences of opinion should be resolved peacefully through dialogue," his spokesman Martin Nesirky told the daily press briefing in answer to a question.

He added that Ban has "consistently called for tolerance and understanding among different religions." Gaddafi Thursday called for a Jihad against Switzerland which does not allow mosques to have minarets.

"Any Muslim in any part of the World who works with Switzerland is an apostate, is against the Prophet Muhammad, God and the Qoran," Gaddafi was quoted as saying in the Libyan town Banghazi to mark the Prophet's birthday.