Lebanese PM's office denies that US asked country to declare ceasefire

The office of Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday denied a report by Reuters that said the US had asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire, after two sources told the agency that a US envoy had made the request to inject momentum into stalled talks on a deal to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

In a statement to Reuters, Mikati's office said the government's stance was clear on seeking a ceasefire from both sides and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between the two foes in 2006.