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Deaths reported in Tibet protests Deaths reported in Tibet protests
(about 7 hours later)
Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tibet's main city of Lhasa have left at least two people dead, according to reports. Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tibet's main city, Lhasa, have left at least two people dead, according to reports.
An emergency official told AFP news agency that many people had been hurt and an unspecified number had died. An emergency official said that many people had been hurt and an unspecified number had died.
The US-based Radio Free Asia quoted witnesses who said they had seen at least two bodies on Lhasa's streets.The US-based Radio Free Asia quoted witnesses who said they had seen at least two bodies on Lhasa's streets.
Tibet's government would "deal harshly" with the protesters, its Chairman Qiangba Puncog warned.
"We will deal harshly with these criminals who are carrying out activities to split the nation," he told the Associated Press news agency, denying that police had opened fire.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency earlier said police had fired warning shots and used tear gas to disperse protesters.
Rallies have continued all week in what are said to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.Rallies have continued all week in what are said to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.
British journalist James Miles, in Lhasa, told the BBC that rioters had taken control of the city centre. 'Totally crazy'
"Some of them are still attacking Chinese properties - shops, restaurants, owned by ethnic Chinese," he said. A Western tourist in the city told the BBC: "[The rioters] seemed to go for all the Chinese shops and the Chinese people as well. I saw quite a few Chinese people beaten up... it turned totally crazy."
One monk was kicked in the stomach right in front of us and then beaten on the ground Eyewitness: 'Kicked to floor'Analysis: Beijing's dilemmaNepal agrees Everest ban "Some of them are looting those shops, taking out the contents and throwing them on huge fires which they've lit in the street." One monk was kicked in the stomach right in front of us and then beaten on the ground Eyewitness: 'Kicked to floor'Analysis: Beijing's dilemmaNepal agrees Everest ban
Another eyewitness said there were tanks on the street and he had seen people being carried away on stretchers.Another eyewitness said there were tanks on the street and he had seen people being carried away on stretchers.
Dalai Lama concerned British journalist James Miles, in Lhasa, told the BBC rioters took control of the city centre on Friday.
Radio Free Asia, which is funded by the US government, quoted one Lhasa resident as saying: "[The rioters] ransacked Chinese shops and the police fired live ammunition into the crowd. No-one is allowed to move around in Lhasa now." He some were looting shops and "taking out the contents and throwing them on huge fires which they've lit in the street".
TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century1950: China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7297228.stm">In pictures: Tibet protests class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456954/html/nn0page1.stm">Quick guide: Tibet class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7296597.stm">Media remains silent The rallies began earlier this week when a number of Buddhist monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. China's government is braced for any further unrest on Saturday, with reports that a curfew is in place.
Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release. The protests have gathered momentum over the past four days and campaign groups say ordinary people are now involved. TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century1950: China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7297228.stm">In pictures: Tibet protests class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456954/html/nn0page1.stm">Quick guide: Tibet class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7296597.stm">Media remains silent
The Dalai Lama, who heads Tibet's government-in-exile in India, released a statement expressing deep concern. Beijing accused the Dalai Lama's followers of "masterminding" the unrest, an allegation the Tibetan spiritual leader's spokesman labelled as "absolutely baseless".
He called on the Chinese leadership to "stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people." From exile in India, the Dalai Lama expressed deep concern and called for an end to the violence.
He added: "I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence." He called on China to "address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue".
Chinese authorities have blamed "the recent sabotage in Lhasa" on the "Dalai clique". The rallies began earlier this week when a number of Buddhist monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
Unrest has spread to other areas of Tibet and neighbouring provinces. There are reports of hundreds of monks rallying in Gansu. In other developments on Friday:
The situation is causing concern among Western governments - with senior US and European officials urging both sides to show restraint.
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  • Hundreds of monks led a rally at Xiahe, in China's north-western Gansu province, the site of one of Tibetan Buddhism's most important monasteries
  • More then 100 Tibetans in New York staged a protest outside the UN headquarters
  • Police in New Delhi, India, clashed with protesters trying to reach the Chinese Embassy
  • In Kathmandu, Nepal, police reportedly scuffled with some 1,000 demonstrators at a rally
Call for dialogue BBC China editor Shirong Chen in Beijing says the Chinese government certainly does not want bloodshed - echoing that last September in Burma - five months before staging the Olympic Games.
On the other hand, they cannot allow the monks and other Tibetans to vent their anger in case this is seen as a sign of weakness, he says.
'Marginalised'
The US urged China to "respect Tibetan culture" and the American ambassador to China urged officials in Beijing to show restraint.
PROTEST TIMELINE 10 March: Monks arrested while marking 49th anniversary of failed uprising11 March: Police use tear gas to disperse monks staging peaceful rallies13 March: Police seal off key Lhasa monasteries14 March: Rioting in Lhasa
A White House spokesman said: "The president has said consistently Beijing needs to have a dialogue with the Dalai Lama."
The European Union issued a statement urging China to address the concerns of Tibetans.The European Union issued a statement urging China to address the concerns of Tibetans.
"We would like to see some kind of reconciliation between the Chinese authorities and the Tibetan representatives," said Dimitrij Rupel, foreign minister of Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency."We would like to see some kind of reconciliation between the Chinese authorities and the Tibetan representatives," said Dimitrij Rupel, foreign minister of Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.
PROTEST TIMELINE 10 March: Monks arrested while marking 49th anniversary of failed uprising11 March: Police use tear gas to disperse monks staging peaceful rallies13 March: Police seal off key Lhasa monasteries14 March: Rioting in Lhasa Hollywood actor Richard Gere - a supporter of Tibet - told the BBC he would back a boycott of the Beijing Olympics unless China adopted a new approach.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Europe would be "seeking clarification" on the events in Lhasa. "The Tibetans have been marginalised in recent years, much more than before, and that's why you see this pressure cooker effect," he said.
"There are two messages, one is the need for restraint, the other is that substantive dialogue is the only way forward," Mr Miliband said. China says Tibet has always been part of its territory - although Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th Century and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said France was not backing a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games, but added: "France can draw attention to the link between the Olympic Games and this Tibetan aspiration, which China has to take into account."
China says Tibet has always been part of its territory - though Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th Century and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959.
Are you in Tibet or do you know anyone currently in Tibet? Did you witness the rallies this week? Send us your comments.Are you in Tibet or do you know anyone currently in Tibet? Did you witness the rallies this week? Send us your comments.
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