This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7297911.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
China sets Tibet protest deadline China sets Tibet protest deadline
(10 minutes later)
Chinese authorities in Tibet have given rioters until Monday to surrender, state media report, after unrest that officials say has left 10 people dead.Chinese authorities in Tibet have given rioters until Monday to surrender, state media report, after unrest that officials say has left 10 people dead.
Braced for possible further disorder, officials warned what they called the "plot of the separatists" would fail. "The plot of the separatists will fail," the head of Tibet's government warned as clashes continued for another day in the main city, Lhasa.
They also denied police had opened fire on crowds that torched Chinese-owned shops in Tibet's main city, Lhasa. Police used tear gas to disperse groups of protesters in the city centre.
State media said the dead were mainly business people, "innocent civilians", who had been "burnt to death". State media said those killed in earlier unrest were mainly business people who had been "burnt to death".
Tibetan authorities called for rioters to hand themselves in by the deadline and promised leniency to those who surrender, according to China's Xinhua news agency. James Miles, a British journalist in the city, said the rioting on Saturday morning was not on the same scale as Friday.
James Miles, a British journalist in the city, said rioting continued on Saturday morning, although not on the same scale as Friday. Tibetans were looting the few remaining shops which had not been attacked, and throwing rocks.
Tibetans were looting the few remaining shops which had not been attacked, and throwing rocks at security forces who were responding with occasional volleys of tear gas, he said. Security forces responded with occasional volleys of tear gas, but not a full scale assault , the journalist said.
'Long-simmering resentment''Long-simmering resentment'
Lhasa had "reverted to calm" early Saturday, Xinhua reported, following the worst unrest there in nearly 20 years.Lhasa had "reverted to calm" early Saturday, Xinhua reported, following the worst unrest there in nearly 20 years.
It said electricity and telephone services, which were cut for parts of Friday, were also being restored.It said electricity and telephone services, which were cut for parts of Friday, were also being restored.
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 Eyewitness: 'Kicked to floor'Analysis: 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 Eyewitness: 'Kicked to floor'Analysis: Beijing's dilemmaNepal agrees Everest ban
"The plot of the separatists will fail. We will challenge them firmly, according to law," said Tibetan government Chairman Qiangba Puncog, reported AFP news agency."The plot of the separatists will fail. We will challenge them firmly, according to law," said Tibetan government Chairman Qiangba Puncog, reported AFP news agency.
Police have cordoned off a few central sections of Lhasa and are on the lookout for signs of trouble, state media reported.Police have cordoned off a few central sections of Lhasa and are on the lookout for signs of trouble, state media reported.
Witnesses reported seeing tanks on the street.Witnesses reported seeing tanks on the street.
A regional government official told Xinhua: "The victims [of Friday's violence] are all innocent civilians, and they have been burnt to death."A regional government official told Xinhua: "The victims [of Friday's violence] are all innocent civilians, and they have been burnt to death."
They included two hotel employees and two shop owners, according to the news agency.They included two hotel employees and two shop owners, according to the news agency.
A Tibetan in Lhasa told Reuters: "If there is blood today [Saturday] it will be ours."A Tibetan in Lhasa told Reuters: "If there is blood today [Saturday] it will be ours."
Western countries have expressed concern at the clashes, and the Americans called on the Chinese to act with restraint.Western countries have expressed concern at the clashes, and the Americans called on the Chinese to act with restraint.
The violence erupted on the fifth day of largely peaceful protests that began on Monday's anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.The violence 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.
'Masterminded''Masterminded'
News agency pictures 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 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 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".
The authorities are braced to crack down on any repeat of Friday's scenesThe authorities are braced to crack down on any repeat of Friday's scenes
Xinhua cited the Tibet government as alleging the riots had been "organised, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai clique", which the spiritual leader denied.Xinhua cited the Tibet government as alleging the riots had been "organised, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai clique", which the spiritual leader denied.
Hollywood star Richard Gere - a Tibet activist - told the BBC he would support a boycott of the Beijing Olympics unless China granted basic freedoms to Tibetans.Hollywood star Richard Gere - a Tibet activist - told the BBC he would support a boycott of the Beijing Olympics unless China granted basic freedoms to Tibetans.
BBC China editor Shirong Chen in Beijing says the Chinese government certainly does not want bloodshed five months before staging the Games.BBC China editor Shirong Chen in Beijing says the Chinese government certainly does not want bloodshed five months before staging the 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. 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. 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.
Name:
 Name: