Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman has urged the United States to reverse a decision to ban the Hezbollah-run television channel, al-Manar, Lebanese media reported Saturday.
Suleiman made the request during his talks with visiting US Senator John McCain on Friday night, according to the reports said.
"President Suleiman asked that Washington backtrack on its decision to ban certain television channels, including al-Manar," the reports added.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill in December calling for punitive measures against Middle East television networks, including al-Manar, seen to be fuelling anti-American sentiment, dpa reported.
The US lists the Shiite Hezbollah group leads Lebanon's political opposition as a terrorist organization.
McCain and his delegation arrived in Lebanon Friday for talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.
The meetings included talks on US assistance for security, economic growth, development and reform in Lebanon, the US embassy said in a statement Saturday.
McCain's trip to Beirut comes ahead of a visit to the region by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell scheduled for later this month.