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China sets Tibet protest deadline China sets Tibet protest deadline
(about 3 hours later)
The authorities in Tibet have given anti-Chinese demonstrators until Monday to surrender, following violence that officials say left 10 people dead.The authorities in Tibet have given anti-Chinese demonstrators until Monday to surrender, following violence that officials say left 10 people dead.
"The plot of the separatists will fail," the head of Tibet's government warned as sporadic unrest continued for another day in the main city, Lhasa. "The plot of the separatists will fail," the head of Tibet's government warned as security forces patrolled the main city, Lhasa.
State media said the 10 killed in earlier clashes had included business people who were "burnt to death". State media said the 10 killed in Friday's clashes had included business people who were "burnt to death".
But exiled Tibetan leaders put the death toll higher and blamed China.But exiled Tibetan leaders put the death toll higher and blamed China.
"We have unconfirmed reports about 100 people had been killed," said a statement from the Tibetan government in exile, which is based in northern India."We have unconfirmed reports about 100 people had been killed," said a statement from the Tibetan government in exile, which is based in northern India.
International concernInternational concern
James Miles, a British journalist in the city, said the rioting on Saturday was not on the same scale as Friday. James Miles, a British journalist in the city, said there were some clashes on Saturday morning, were not on the same scale as Friday.
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 Witnesses describe clashesAnalysis: Beijing's dilemmaNepal agrees Everest banTIBET 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 Witnesses describe clashesAnalysis: Beijing's dilemmaNepal agrees Everest ban
Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators defying a curfew in the old quarter of the city, he said.Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators defying a curfew in the old quarter of the city, he said.
Police later cordoned off the city centre.
"Lhasa is completely closed and there is Chinese military all over," Danish tourist Bente Walle told Reuters news agency.
In a statement quoted by the state-run news agency Xinhua, the Tibetan government urged "the lawbreakers to give themselves in by Monday midnight" and promised that "leniency would be given to those who surrender".In a statement quoted by the state-run news agency Xinhua, the Tibetan government urged "the lawbreakers to give themselves in by Monday midnight" and promised that "leniency would be given to those who surrender".
Tibetan government Chairman Qiangba Puncog denounced the "plot of the separatists".Tibetan government Chairman Qiangba Puncog denounced the "plot of the separatists".
"We will challenge them firmly, according to law," AFP news agency quoted him as saying."We will challenge them firmly, according to law," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
He said no shots had been fired by police since the start of the unrest.He said no shots had been fired by police since the start of the unrest.
Officials told Xinhua that those killed on Friday were "all innocent civilians" - among them hotel employees and shop owners.Officials told Xinhua that those killed on Friday were "all innocent civilians" - among them hotel employees and shop owners.
However a Tibetan in Lhasa told Reuters news agency on Saturday: "If there is blood today it will be ours."However a Tibetan in Lhasa told Reuters news agency on Saturday: "If there is blood today it will be ours."
Western countries have expressed concern at the clashes, and US officials called on the Chinese to act with restraint.Western countries have expressed concern at the clashes, and US officials called on the Chinese to act with restraint.
The violence - the worst in Tibet since 1989 - erupted on the fifth day of largely peaceful protests that began on Monday's anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.The violence - the worst in Tibet since 1989 - erupted on the fifth day of largely peaceful protests that began on Monday's anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.
Fires broke out near the famous Jokhang temple, one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhists, and Xinhua reported that shops, banks and hotels were destroyed.Fires broke out near the famous Jokhang temple, one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhists, and Xinhua reported that shops, banks and hotels were destroyed.
'Long-simmering resentment''Long-simmering resentment'
News agency pictures aired on Saturday showed young men setting fire to a Chinese flag and throwing rocks, while state media said police had fired tear gas to disperse protesters.News agency pictures aired on Saturday showed young men setting fire to a Chinese flag and throwing rocks, while state media said police had fired tear gas to disperse protesters.
One eyewitness reported seeing people being carried away on stretchers.One eyewitness reported seeing people being carried away on stretchers.
The authorities are braced to crack down on any repeat of Friday's scenes class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7298022.stm">Riot aftermath in pictures
The demonstrations - like last those September in Burma - were initially led by Buddhist monks and then attracted crowds of ordinary people.The demonstrations - like last those September in Burma - were initially led by Buddhist monks and then attracted crowds of ordinary people.
From exile in India, the Dalai Lama called for an end to the violence and urged China to "address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue".From exile in India, the Dalai Lama called for an end to the violence and urged China to "address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue".
Chinese officials quoted by Xinhua alleged that the riots had been "organised, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai clique" - which the spiritual leader denied.Chinese officials quoted by Xinhua alleged that the riots had been "organised, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai clique" - which the spiritual leader denied.
On Saturday, Tibetan exiles stated protests in several countries, including Australia and India.On Saturday, Tibetan exiles stated protests in several countries, including Australia and India.
BBC China editor Shirong Chen in Beijing says the Chinese government does not want bloodshed five months before staging the Olympic Games.BBC China editor Shirong Chen in Beijing says the Chinese government does not want bloodshed five months before staging the Olympic Games.
On the other hand, it cannot allow the monks and other Tibetans to vent their anger in case this is seen as a sign of weakness, he says.On the other hand, it cannot allow the monks and other Tibetans to vent their anger in case this is seen as a sign of weakness, he says.
Many Tibetans claim their culture has been diluted or even destroyed by Beijing and they resent the local presence of Han Chinese, China's biggest ethnic group.Many Tibetans claim their culture has been diluted or even destroyed by Beijing and they resent the local presence of Han Chinese, China's biggest ethnic group.
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.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.


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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