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High alert for Olympic handover Greece hands China Olympic torch
(10 minutes later)
Tight security is in place in Athens as thousands of people watch a ceremony to hand over the Olympic torch to Chinese officials. The Olympic torch has been handed over to Chinese officials at a ceremony in Athens, amid scuffles between police and pro-Tibet protesters.
The torch's passage through Greece since being lit on 24 March at Olympia has been dogged by protests on human rights and Tibet. A small group of demonstrators tried to stop the torch from reaching the stadium where it was to be transferred.
The torch will later travel to China by plane and be welcomed at a ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday. Thousands gathered to watch as the flame was used to light a lamp, which will now be flown to China.
The torch's passage through Greece has been dogged by protests on human rights and Tibet.
The flame, which was lit in Olympia on 24 March, will be welcomed at a ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday.
It will then tour 20 countries before returning for the opening on 8 August.It will then tour 20 countries before returning for the opening on 8 August.
Meanwhile exiled Tibetans in India's capital Delhi launched an "independence torch" to tour the world in an anti-China protest.Meanwhile exiled Tibetans in India's capital Delhi launched an "independence torch" to tour the world in an anti-China protest.
Route shortenedRoute shortened
Sunday's formal handover ceremony is taking place in the Panathinaiko Stadium. Sunday's formal handover was held in the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.
See map of Olympic torch relay routeSee map of Olympic torch relay route
Police have warned they will confiscate all banners, signs or objects that may be thrown and arrest anyone who shows signs of protesting. Police had warned they would confiscate all banners, signs or objects that might be thrown and arrest anyone who showed signs of protesting.
Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the lighting ceremonyPro-Tibetan activists disrupted the lighting ceremony
Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the Olympia lighting ceremony, breaking through police lines and unfurling a Tibetan flag before being dragged away.
Greek organisers have altered the torch's route over the past few days to nullify protests. The torch has had a police guard and a group of runners to protect it.Greek organisers have altered the torch's route over the past few days to nullify protests. The torch has had a police guard and a group of runners to protect it.
Greek Olympic Committee spokesman Tassos Papachristou said Sunday's route had been shortened.Greek Olympic Committee spokesman Tassos Papachristou said Sunday's route had been shortened.
"The flame will now run a small distance through the centre of Athens before [the handover ceremony] at 1500 (1200 GMT)," he said."The flame will now run a small distance through the centre of Athens before [the handover ceremony] at 1500 (1200 GMT)," he said.
On Saturday there was a peaceful protest beneath the Acropolis.On Saturday there was a peaceful protest beneath the Acropolis.
Security has also been increased in Beijing for the Tiananmen Square ceremony, with a tightening of journalist accreditation.Security has also been increased in Beijing for the Tiananmen Square ceremony, with a tightening of journalist accreditation.
There has been little movement internationally towards boycotting the Games, although French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "all options are open" following the recent unrest in Tibet.There has been little movement internationally towards boycotting the Games, although French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "all options are open" following the recent unrest in Tibet.
The Tibetan alternative torch was unveiled in Delhi on Sunday and will next go to San Francisco on 9 April, when the Olympic torch is expected to arrive.The Tibetan alternative torch was unveiled in Delhi on Sunday and will next go to San Francisco on 9 April, when the Olympic torch is expected to arrive.
Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in the crackdown on recent unrest 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 the crackdown on recent unrest by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters.
OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official siteOLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site
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