US Justice Department defends 'lawful' Trump travel ban

The US Department of Justice has defended President Donald Trump's travel ban and urged an appeals court to reinstate it in the interests of national security.

A 15-page brief argued it was a "lawful exercise of the president's authority" and not a ban on Muslims, BBC reports.

The executive order temporarily banned entry for all refugees and visitors from seven mainly Muslim countries.

A hearing has been set for Tuesday on whether to allow or reject the ban.

The filing was made to the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in response to the halting of Mr Trump's order on Friday by a federal judge in Washington state.

The judge had argued the ban was unconstitutional and harmful to the state's interests.

As a result, people from the seven countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - with valid visas were able to travel to the US again.