The US-backed Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora says his government has not requested any naval support from the US military.

Washington said on Thursday that it had sent the USS Cole warship to waters off Lebanon, claiming 'concern about the situation' in the country.

"We did not request any warships from any party,'' Siniora told Arab diplomats at government headquarters in Beirut on Friday.

Siniora also said that 'there are no foreign warships' in Lebanon's territorial waters. "The Lebanese navy and UNIFIL naval forces… are the only ones," he said referring to the UN peacekeeping forces in the country.

He made the remarks after a Hezbollah lawmaker said the US move is threatening the country's sovereignty and is aimed at intimidating the opposition.

"We don't succumb to threats and military intimidation practiced by the United States to implement its hegemony over Lebanon" said Hassan Fadlallah.

It is crystal clear that Washington is supporting the ruling majority in Lebanon and the opposition is engaged in a direct conflict with the US, he said.

DT/MMN