World Bulletin/News Desk

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed Israel's apology to Turkey for the May 2010 killing of nine Turks aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.      

A statement from Ban's press office said the UN chief welcomed the move to normalize relations between the two countries was an important and promising sign for the stability of the region and that he expressed appreciation for the role US President Barack Obama played.      

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Friday the tragic outcome of the Mavi Marmara incident was not intended by Israel and that Israel regretted the loss of human life and injury.      

"In light of Israel's investigation into the incident which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, the Prime Minister expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury and agreed to conclude an agreement on compensation/non-liability," the statement said.