Malian Army Captain Apologizes For Coup

Destabilized the country, which allowed Islamists to invade the north

The army officer behind last year's destabilizing coup in Mali has asked the Malian people for forgiveness. 

Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo issued an apology for his actions late Wednesday at a ceremony aimed at reconciling factions of the army. 

Sanogo led the soldiers who overthrew president Amadou Toure in March 2012. The coup allowed Islamist militant groups to seize the northern half of the country. 

They stayed in power 10 months until a French-led military campaign ousted them early this year.