Olympic torch passes peacefully through Tibetan capital
Saturday, 21 Jun 2008 14:59
Olympic torch relay passes peacefully through Tibetan capital
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The Olympic torch relay has passed through Tibet's provincial capital of Lhasa without incident.
Riots and protests in the city in March led to a crackdown from Beijing which resulted in the Olympic torch being greeted by human rights demonstrations around the world.
Olympic staff surrounded the flame as it was carried by runners along the route. Reports suggest that spectators at the event all wore special badges indicating that they were handpicked for attendance at the relay.
The 11-km relay began at Norbulingka, a former resident of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and ended at the Potala Palace which is situated on top of a hill.
The Olympic torch relay met with fierce protests in London, Paris and San Francisco and their fears of serious violence during the leg in Lhasa.
Surprise diversions to the route took place in Paris and San Fransico as organisers tried to avoid crowds of protestors chanting slogans in favour of Tibetan protestors. There were arrests in London and Paris as people tried to put out the symbolic flame with fire extinguishers and to grab the flame from carriers.
The torch has passed through cities in India,
Pakistan, Argentina, Russia and Vietnam during its around the world tour.
The Olympic Games are set to begin in Beijing in 47 days.