Prague - The Czech EU presidency spokesman will not be fired for calling Israel's ground assault on Gaza "defensive" on Saturday in a statement that outraged the Arab world, Prague said Monday.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said the spokesman's statement was "wrong" and at odds with the Czech Republic's and presidency's stance. But he also said that he would not accept his aide's resignation.

Jiri Potuznik, the premier's spokesman for the EU presidency, described the Israeli ground action in Gaza "more defensive rather than offensive" on Saturday, just hours before a Czech-led EU mission took off for the Middle East in a bid to end fighting and open way for humanitarian aid to the embattled Gaza Strip.

The Czech foreign ministry subsequently retracted Potuznik's words, which are seen as the first blunder in Prague's EU presidency, and issued a statement that called for a ceasefire and facilitation of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Potuznik, meanwhile, apologized for his statement and offered his resignation.

The Czech Republic, a traditional ally of Israel, aims to boost EU-Israeli ties during its half year in EU chair ending on June 30, an ambition now called into question in the wake of Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip. (dpa)