BEIRUT, Lebanon - The Lebanese government on Thursday vehemently denied reports that Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had secretly met with Israeli officials earlier this week in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh.

A Ramallah-based Palestinian newswire Ma'an reported that 'secret talks' had been held between Siniora and Israeli leaders on Tuesday, in the presence of Arab mediators.

Siniora's press office issued a statement vehemently denying the reports, calling them 'ridiculous words that the Israeli Mossad is active in circulating by all means.'

'All these news reports are pre-prepared and are meant to create dissent between the Lebanese people,' the statement read. 'Siniora is known for his (respected) nationalistic and political positions.'

Ma'an Report

Under the title, "Battle lines are drawn as Israeli allies among Arab regimes meet to coordinate the fight against the Iran-Syria axis",  the Ramallah-based Palestinian News Agency Ma'an reported the news of the meeting as follows:

"It has been revealed to Ma'an News Agency that a secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, the political advisor to the Egyptian president, Osama El Baz and the head of Saudi national security, Prince Bandar, was held two months ago, during the Eid feast following Ramadan, in Sharm el Sheikh.

"The source, a specialist in Israeli affairs, added that the meeting, which was held in the residence of the Egyptian president, lasted for five hours in which the participants discussed mutual coordination and cooperation between Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel and its allied forces in Lebanon, to jointly face the Tehran-Damascus axis and the coalition of militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.

"The Israeli Prime Minister allegedly told the Lebanese Prime Minister that the international presence in southern Lebanon, and the American support given to their friends, "has created a path, along which lies an unprecedented opportunity to get rid of the Iranian and Syrian allies in Lebanon", the source added.

"The source also confirmed that Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora told his Israeli counterpart that his government insists on the spread of law and order throughout the country, and to dismiss and disarm any militia, including the arms of Hezbollah, and to end the presence of any groups or people who are pro-Iran or pro-Syria."