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Nepal considers China Everest ban Nepal agrees to China Everest ban
(about 2 hours later)
Nepal says China has asked it to stop spring-time expeditions to Mount Everest, amid fears Tibetan activists may stage a protest at the peak. Nepal has agreed to a Chinese request to temporarily block access to Mount Everest, amid fears Tibetan activists may stage a protest at the peak.
Beijing is thought to be concerned that activists may time a protest to coincide with plans to take the Olympic torch up the mountain in April or May. Climbers will be banned from going beyond Everest's base camp until 10 May, Nepal's tourism minister said.
Nepalese officials say they are still deciding on a response to the request. Beijing is thought to be concerned that a protest may coincide with plans to take the Olympic torch up the mountain.
Tibetans have stepped up agitation against Chinese rule as Beijing gets ready to host the Olympics in August.Tibetans have stepped up agitation against Chinese rule as Beijing gets ready to host the Olympics in August.
Buddhist monks have been demonstrating in and around Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet region.Buddhist monks have been demonstrating in and around Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet region.
Many Tibetans believe their region ought to be independent, though China claims the mountainous territory as its own. Many Tibetans believe their region ought to be independent, though China has long claimed the mountainous territory as its own.
Mounting protestsMounting protests
Nepal's tourism ministry says it is still considering its response to China's request to restrict access to the peak. Nepalese Tourism Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung told Reuters news agency climbers would not be allowed beyond Mount Everest's base camp until 10 May.
According to the Associated Press news agency, China has asked Nepal to prevent expeditions to the mountain until 10 May. He said the move was in response to a request from China.
"This is to prevent some people who could infiltrate and cause trouble during the time when they take the torch to the top."
Indian police have prevented Tibetan protesters from marchingIndian police have prevented Tibetan protesters from marching
No exact date has been set for the Olympic torch's journey to Mount Everest but reports say it is likely to be in late April or early May.No exact date has been set for the Olympic torch's journey to Mount Everest but reports say it is likely to be in late April or early May.
May is widely regarded as the best time of year to climb the peak, the world's highest at 8,848 metres (29,028 ft).May is widely regarded as the best time of year to climb the peak, the world's highest at 8,848 metres (29,028 ft).
Mount Everest straddles the border between Nepal and China and can be scaled by a northern and a southern route. Mount Everest straddles the border between Nepal and China and can be scaled by a northern and a southern route. The more popular southern route passes through Nepal, while the northern ascent goes through China's Tibet region.
The more popular southern route passes through Nepal, while the northern ascent goes through China's Tibet region.
China was reported earlier this week to have restricted access along the northern route, amid fears that pro-Tibetan activists may disrupt the Olympic torch's journey.China was reported earlier this week to have restricted access along the northern route, amid fears that pro-Tibetan activists may disrupt the Olympic torch's journey.
Last year, five US mountaineers, including an ethnic Tibetan, unfurled banners on Everest calling for Tibetan independence.Last year, five US mountaineers, including an ethnic Tibetan, unfurled banners on Everest calling for Tibetan independence.
The Tibetans' spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has expressed concern at China's response to the latest protests.The Tibetans' spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has expressed concern at China's response to the latest protests.
The unrest began last week, as Tibetans marked the 49th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's journey into exile from Lhasa to India.The unrest began last week, as Tibetans marked the 49th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's journey into exile from Lhasa to India.
Demonstrations in favour of Tibetan rights have also been seen in India and Nepal, home to large communities of Tibetan exiles and refugees.Demonstrations in favour of Tibetan rights have also been seen in India and Nepal, home to large communities of Tibetan exiles and refugees.
Some 100 protesters were detained by Indian police on Thursday in an attempt to halt a planned march to the Chinese border.Some 100 protesters were detained by Indian police on Thursday in an attempt to halt a planned march to the Chinese border.
The protesters in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh will be held in custody for two weeks, police said.The protesters in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh will be held in custody for two weeks, police said.
US-based pressure group Human Rights Watch has criticised the authorities' response to the protests.US-based pressure group Human Rights Watch has criticised the authorities' response to the protests.