MOSCOW, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - The issue of Lebanon-based Islamist group Hezbollah's disarmament is a domestic affair for Lebanon, the country's prime minister said Friday.

Fouad Siniora, speaking at a RIA Novosti news conference, said the issue of Hezbollah's armaments should be resolved through internal dialogue within Lebanon.

The Lebanese government will take all necessary steps to avoid an escalation of violence, he said, adding that demonstrations are not an effective way of solving domestic problems.

The premier has come under intense pressure from the pro-Syrian opposition to resign, and mass anti-government demonstrations have been continuing in the center of Beirut for over a week.

Shiite radical groups Hizbollah and Amal, in an alliance with Christian leader Michel Aoun, have accused the Siniora government of subservience to Western powers, and have demanded that Shiites be given enough Cabinet seats to wield veto power.

The latest wave of protest comes in the wake of the November 21 assassination of the anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel, who served in Siniora's government as industry minister.

Gemayel, 34, was killed when his car was peppered with bullets on a Beirut street. Two years ago, the so-called "Cedar Revolution" drove Syrian troops out of Lebanon following the assassination of Rafik Hariri, who had called for an end to Syria's long-standing occupation of the Mediterranean country.

Syria has denied involvement in either killing.