The U.S. State Department spokesman said on Wednesday his comment about Libyan leader was not intended to be a personal attack but the U.S. will not hesitate to express concerns.

"It was not intended to be a personal attack," spokesman Philip Crowley said at a regular press briefing, admitting making an offhand comment last Friday on Libya leader Muammar Gaddafi's statements.

"That said, a call for a jihad against any country or individual has the potential to harm and is not something the United States takes lightly," said Crowley, adding the U.S. will not hesitate to express concerns about "the statements or actions of any country."

Relations between Libya and Switzerland went sour after Swiss police arrested Gaddafi's son for mistreating two domestic employees in 2008. After Gaddafi declared a holy war against Switzerland on Feb. 25, Libya has declared on Wednesday a trade and economic embargo on the European country, according to latest media reports.