New York  - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Friday that he was disappointed the fighting in the Gaza Strip continued despite the ceasefire demanded by the UN Security Council.

"The secretary general expressed his disappointment that the violence has continued on the ground in disregard of the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council," said UN spokeswoman Michelle Montas.

Montas said Ban discussed the situation in Gaza by telephone with Olmert on Friday, a day after the 15-nation council called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. (dpa)