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| China allows diplomats into Tibet | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| China is taking a handful of foreign diplomats to Tibet, following widespread criticism of Beijing's crackdown on Tibetan protests. | |
| The UK, France and the US are among the countries invited on a two-day trip to the Tibetan capital Lhasa - the first since anti-China riots broke out there. | The UK, France and the US are among the countries invited on a two-day trip to the Tibetan capital Lhasa - the first since anti-China riots broke out there. |
| The US welcomed the move, but said diplomats and observers should be allowed to see areas surrounding Lhasa. | The US welcomed the move, but said diplomats and observers should be allowed to see areas surrounding Lhasa. |
| The visit follows a short trip to the city by a group of foreign journalists. | The visit follows a short trip to the city by a group of foreign journalists. |
| Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers are gathering in Slovenia to debate a possible boycott of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. | |
| European leaders have been among the most vocal in criticising China's reaction to the protests in Tibetan communities. | |
| Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters. | Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters. |
| Chinese officials have frequently blamed Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for fomenting unrest - a claim he denies. | Chinese officials have frequently blamed Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for fomenting unrest - a claim he denies. |
| Tightly controlled | Tightly controlled |
| A group of 17 diplomats from countries including Japan and Australia have left Beijing and are expected to return on Saturday. | |
| US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the trip was a "step in the right direction". | US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the trip was a "step in the right direction". |
| "But it's not a substitute for the ability of our diplomats, as well as others, to travel not only to Lhasa, but into the surrounding area specifically," he said. | "But it's not a substitute for the ability of our diplomats, as well as others, to travel not only to Lhasa, but into the surrounding area specifically," he said. |
| It follows a short visit by a group of more than 20 journalists from Chinese and international media. | It follows a short visit by a group of more than 20 journalists from Chinese and international media. |
| A 30-strong group of monks in Lhasa staged a noisy protest as the reporters were shown around one of Tibet's holiest sites, the Jokhang Temple, on Thursday. | A 30-strong group of monks in Lhasa staged a noisy protest as the reporters were shown around one of Tibet's holiest sites, the Jokhang Temple, on Thursday. |
| The monks shouted "Tibet is not free, Tibet is not free" and accused Beijing officials of lying about the protests. | The monks shouted "Tibet is not free, Tibet is not free" and accused Beijing officials of lying about the protests. |
| Associated Press reporter Charles Hutzler said the outburst was the only spontaneous moment in an otherwise tightly controlled trip. | Associated Press reporter Charles Hutzler said the outburst was the only spontaneous moment in an otherwise tightly controlled trip. |
| Divided city | |
| A Tibetan exile group expressed fears for the "welfare and whereabouts" of the monks involved in the outburst, but Chinese officials insisted no action would be taken. | A Tibetan exile group expressed fears for the "welfare and whereabouts" of the monks involved in the outburst, but Chinese officials insisted no action would be taken. |
| "We will never do anything to them," the Chinese-installed vice governor of Tibet, Baima Chilin, told reporters on the trip. | "We will never do anything to them," the Chinese-installed vice governor of Tibet, Baima Chilin, told reporters on the trip. |
| "We will never detain anyone you met on the streets of Lhasa. I don't think any government would do such a thing." | "We will never detain anyone you met on the streets of Lhasa. I don't think any government would do such a thing." |
| The reporters described Lhasa as a divided city - with Chinese areas resuming normal business, but the old city, mainly populated by Tibetans, still under a heavy police presence. | The reporters described Lhasa as a divided city - with Chinese areas resuming normal business, but the old city, mainly populated by Tibetans, still under a heavy police presence. |
| The BBC's request to take part in the media trip was turned down. Western media organisations are still prevented from reporting freely in the area. | |
| Are you in Tibet? What is the situation like where you are? | Are you in Tibet? What is the situation like where you are? |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |