BEIRUT, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Suleiman expressed concern Friday about additional screening at U.S. airports of passengers from several countries, including Lebanon, the county's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

    Suleiman said following talks with U.S. Senator Alcee Hastings that he asked Lebanon's ambassador to Washington Antoine Chedid to follow up the issue with the U.S. administration.

    Washington decided last week to require tighter security for passengers travelling from or through nations listed as "state sponsors of terrorism," including Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, as well as Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen.

    In 1999, Lebanese powerful Shiite armed group Hezbollah was placed on the U.S. State Department terrorism list.

    The Lebanese President said that security measures at Rafic Hariri International Airport are good, adding that "Lebanon is in a phase of political stability and proved to be one of the most successful nations in fighting terrorism."

    Suleiman also stressed the importance of Israel's implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and its withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories.

    Hastings made brief stops in Turkey and Syria before his arrival in Beirut. U.S. Republican Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain will also visit Lebanon soon.