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Greece hands China Olympic torch Greece hands China Olympic torch
(about 1 hour later)
The Olympic torch has been handed over to Chinese officials at a ceremony in Athens, amid scuffles between police and pro-Tibet protesters. The Olympic torch has been handed over to Chinese officials at a ceremony in Athens, amid scuffles between police and pro-Tibet demonstrators.
A small group of demonstrators tried to stop the torch from reaching the stadium where it was to be transferred. A small group of protesters tried to break through a police cordon to enter the stadium.
Thousands gathered to watch as the flame was used to light a lamp, which will now be flown to China. Thousands gathered as the flame was delivered and transferred to a lamp for its journey by plane to China.
The handover came as pro-Tibet protesters tried to storm the Chinese embassy in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.
The torch's passage through Greece has been dogged by protests on human rights and Tibet.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.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. name="upagain"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of Olympic torch relay route
name="upagain"> 'Timeless symbol'
Route shortened
Sunday's formal handover was held in the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.Sunday's formal handover was held in the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.
class="bodl" href="#map">See map of Olympic torch relay route The route of the torch in Greece has been dogged by protests
Police had warned they would confiscate all banners, signs or objects that might be thrown and arrest anyone who showed signs of protesting. The Chinese and Greek flags were marched in by Greek athletes to the strains of a band, before a circle of white-clad actresses dressed as ancient priestesses surrounded a podium as the torch was brought in.
Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the lighting ceremony Minos Kyriakou, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, passed the flame to chief Beijing organizer Liu Qi.
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. "The Olympic flame is the timeless symbol which stirs admiration, pride and faith [in] the Olympic ideals and values," said Mr Kyriakou.
Greek Olympic Committee spokesman Tassos Papachristou said Sunday's route had been shortened. "I hope the world community welcomes the flame and honours it".
"The flame will now run a small distance through the centre of Athens before [the handover ceremony] at 1500 (1200 GMT)," he said. Mr Liu pointed out that the summit of Mount Everest was on the torch's destination list, "testifying to the great strength of the Olympic movement in marking the progress of human civilisation".
On Saturday there was a peaceful protest beneath the Acropolis. Nepal protest
Security has also been increased in Beijing for the Tiananmen Square ceremony, with a tightening of journalist accreditation. The protesters tried to unfurl a banner which said "stop genocide in Tibet", but failed to enter the stadium or disrupt the solemn ceremony.
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. At least six people were arrested.
Police had warned they would confiscate all banners, signs or objects that might be thrown.
Greek organisers had altered the torch's route ahead of the ceremony to nullify protests. The torch has had a police guard and a group of runners to protect it.
Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, police baton-charged Tibetan exiles and Buddhist monks who were trying to storm an office of the Chinese embassy, and arrested at least 100 people.
Many arrested in Nepal were Buddhist monks or nunsThe city is home to hundreds of Tibetan exiles, and the protest was the third over Tibet in the past week. Those detained in the previous incidents were released within hours.
And in India's capital Delhi, exiled Tibetans launched an "independence torch" to tour the world in an anti-China protest.
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.
There has been little movement internationally towards a boycott of the Games, although French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "all options are open" following the recent unrest in Tibet.
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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