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| Shops on fire amid Tibet protests | Shops on fire amid Tibet protests |
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| Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa, Chinese state media reports say, as rare street protests in the province appear to gather pace. | Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa, Chinese state media reports say, as rare street protests in the province appear to gather pace. |
| Xinhua news agency said witnesses described shops being set on fire. | Xinhua news agency said witnesses described shops being set on fire. |
| Rallies by monks have continued through the week, in what campaign groups say are the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years. | Rallies by monks have continued through the week, in what campaign groups say are the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years. |
| An eyewitness told the BBC how security forces and monks clashed on Wednesday, with several monks being beaten. | An eyewitness told the BBC how security forces and monks clashed on Wednesday, with several monks being beaten. |
| John, a US national who left Lhasa on Thursday, said that about 300 monks had tried to leave the Sera monastery to protest. | John, a US national who left Lhasa on Thursday, said that about 300 monks had tried to leave the Sera monastery to protest. |
| But security forces brandishing clubs stopped them and at least one monk was beaten to the ground, he said. | But security forces brandishing clubs stopped them and at least one monk was beaten to the ground, he said. |
| TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet always part of its territoryBut Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th centuryIn 1950, China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India Quick guide: TibetIndia detains Tibetans | |
| Meanwhile, the police were reported to have sealed off three monasteries in the city. | Meanwhile, the police were reported to have sealed off three monasteries in the city. |
| Witnesses said police were at Drepung and Sera monasteries on Thursday, and the US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said a third monastery, Ganden, was also surrounded. | Witnesses said police were at Drepung and Sera monasteries on Thursday, and the US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said a third monastery, Ganden, was also surrounded. |
| "It seems that lay people have now become involved in the protests," ICT spokeswoman Kate Saunders said. | |
| She added that her group had received reports that the Tromsikhang market in Barkor Street - a busy commercial neighbourhood - was either on fire or had burnt down. | |
| And at least one police car had been set on fire in the city on Friday, she said. | |
| US embassy officials in Beijing told the Associated Press that US citizens had reported gunfire and rioting in Lhasa. | US embassy officials in Beijing told the Associated Press that US citizens had reported gunfire and rioting in Lhasa. |
| The protests began earlier this week, when a number of monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. | |
| Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release - and reports say tear gas was used to disperse them. | |
| Correspondents say there is growing evidence that protests against Chinese rule are intensifying, despite assurances by Beijing on Thursday that the situation was under control. | |
| Beijing claims sovereignty over Tibet, but many Tibetans remain loyal to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959 and currently lives in exile in India. | Beijing claims sovereignty over Tibet, but many Tibetans remain loyal to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959 and currently lives in exile in India. |
| Are you in Tibet or do you know anyone currently in Tibet? Did you witness the rallies this week? Send us your comments. | |