Rockets disappoint Olmert but hopes truce can last

JERUSALEM, Nov 28 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today said he was ''a little disappointed'' at continued rocket fire at Israel from Gaza despite a truce, but that Israel was still taking steps to stick to the ceasefire.

Olmert spoke at a meeting with European ambassadors near Tel Aviv, hours after Palestinian gunmen fired a rocket at the southern Israeli town of Sderot, one of about a dozen fired since the truce took effect on Sunday, causing no injuries.

''I must admit we are a little disappointed by the continued fire,'' Olmert said. ''I hope very much that the Palestinians will meet their commitments so the ceasefire will continue. We are acting so there will be quiet.'' He said that Israel ''will continue to show restraint but at the same time the Palestinians must abide by the agreements so that the ceasefire will effectively take place.'' Olmert has followed up the truce with a statement praised by world leaders pledging Israel was ready to resume peace talks with a moderate Palestinian government and to free prisoners in exchange for a soldier held in Gaza.

REUTERS SBA BST0227