UN flotilla probe starts work

A United Nations investigation into Israel's May 31 flotilla raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship started work yesterday by meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, Ban called on the Turkish and Israeli governments to cooperation with the probe. The committee is expected to deliver a progress report by mid-September. UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky said the panel would examine the work of both Israeli and Turkish probes into the flotilla incident. The panel, Nesirky said, will be able to hear the testimonies of government and military officials and request clarifications from both parties during the investigation.