Spokesperson of the United Nations (UN) said on Tuesday that more time was needed regarding a report of the UN panel inquiring the attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

Spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters that more time was needed and that time had been given to the Panel of Inquiry to prepare a final report.

"I don't think we are yet at the point where the report would be handed over. If and when that happens, obviously we would let you know. As a general point, but don't read anything further into this ? as a general point the Secretary-General doesn't necessarily have to be physically present for a report to be handed over, of course, although that is highly desirable.

But on the first part, simply to say that the Secretary-General made clear that more time was needed; and when we get to that point we'll let you know," Nesirky said.

Israeli navy attacked on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, 2010, killing eight Turks and a Turkish American.

Regarding some allegations that the language of the report could be toned down, Nesirky said he had not seen the report.

"But what I would say is what we said at the time; and that is that there is clearly a need for the parties concerned to find consensus on the report, and the wording of the report. And that's why more time was given," Nesirky also said.

Last month, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the committee would present the report to himself in July.

The Panel of Inquiry on the flotilla incident of May 31, 2010 was established on August 2, 2010. It is chaired by Geoffrey Palmer, former prime minister of New Zealand. The deputy chair of the panel is the former president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe.

The panel included Joseph Ciechanove of Israel and retired Turkish ambassador Ozdem Sanberk.

Turkey presented its preliminary report to the panel on September 1, 2010, and its final report on February 11, 2011.

Israel, which was obliged to present its report to the panel last November, could only submit its first report on January 23, 2011.

Turkish Ambassador Mithat Rende expressed verbally Turkey's views and legal theses on the "Mavi Marmara" aid ship investigation at the panel on April 26. Israel made its verbal statement on April 27.

The panel was expected to submit its final report to UN Secretary General Ban on May 18, however it continued to work on the report.

AA