Sri Lanka's [Images] Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on Friday denied reports that they had agreed for talks with Sri Lankan government to review the 2002 Norwegian-brokered cease-fire.

"No decision has been taken," said LTTE spokesman Daya Master. "Our leader is considering it."

Master, reached by telephone in Kilinochchi, the rebel capital, said reclusive rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran would "later write a letter to the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Peterson."

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga wants to hold direct talks with Tamil rebels in an effort to end a spate of political assassinations that have plagued her country, her office said.

She made the request hours after the Parliament on Thursday approved an extension of an emergency rule decree imposed after last week's assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.