Olmert expresses "deep sorrow" over U N observers

JERUSALEM, July 26 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today he had spoken to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to express ''deep sorrow'' over the killing of four U.N. observers in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon.

But Olmert said he also told Annan of reservations about the secretary-general's comments that Israel had apparently targeted the U.N. military post yesterday.

''The prime minister said he would never fathom the thought that the mistake that was made would be categorised by the U.N.

as an action that was done intentionally,'' said a statement released by Olmert's office.

Annan has demanded Israel investigate the ''apparently deliberate targeting'' of the post. The air strike was among a series of attacks on Hizbollah guerrilla positions.

Olmert said he would order a probe.

''The prime minister expressed Israel's deep sorrow over the unintentional killing of the four UNIFIL soldiers in Lebanon,'' the statement added.

REUTERS DKB SND1245