THE Dalai Lama has said he would step down as Tibet’s political leader, a move seen as transforming the government-in-exile into a more assertive and democratic body in the face of Chinese pressure.

The Dalai Lama said today that Chinese authorities rebuffed all his efforts to reach a compromise over Tibet and instead engaged in systematic repression as part of a plan to “annihilate Buddhism” there.

Troops patrolled winding mountain roads, internet services were cut and motorists ran a gauntlet of checkpoints as Beijing mounted a show of force in Tibetan areas to prevent a repeat of uprisings against Chinese rule.

CHINA demanded that the Dalai Lama prove he does not support Tibetan independence and disruption of the Beijing Olympics during the latest round of talks with the spiritual leader’s representatives, state media reported yesterday.

Secretive talks between envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government entered a second day today, with the goal of easing tensions following anti-government riots in Tibet in March.

Nepalese authorities detained about 185 Tibetan exiles protesting today against China’s crackdown in their homeland.

The Tibetan government-in-exile has asked for a temporary stop to protests against China as the country grapples with the aftermath of an earthquake that has killed 40,000 and left millions more homeless.

The Dalai Lama’s envoy claims that “concrete proposals” were made during talks between Tibet’s exile government and Chinese officials.

The recent anti-government demonstrations in Tibet were “outbursts of long pent-up physical and mental anguish” that proved most Tibetans want freedom from Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama said today.

India’s football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has refused to carry the Beijing Olympic torch during its run in the capital New Delhi later this month in protest at Chinese authorities’ crackdown on protests in Tibet.

Chinese state media today accused the Dalai Lama of slamming the door on talks over Tibet’s future, an apparent response to rising international calls for Beijing to negotiate with Tibet’s exiled Buddhist leader.

Nearly 140 people have been killed in demonstrations and a crackdown by China’s government since protests against Chinese rule started in Tibet on March 10, the main Tibetan exile group said.

China tightened its grip on Tibet today as it insisted the unrest there would not stop the Olympic torch from being taken to the top of Mount Everest.

The Dalai Lama has issued a statement in response to accusations from the Chinese Prime Minister that he is behind the Tibet riots.

The Dalai Lama said today that he will step down if violence by Tibetans in his homeland spirals out of control.

The Tibetan community in Ireland has staged a solidarity demonstration with independence demonstrators in Tibet this morning.

The main Tibetan exile group said today Chinese authorities have killed at least 30 Tibetan demonstrators and injured many more during protests against Chinese rule in the Tibetan capital.

The main Tibetan exile group says Chinese police have killed about 100 Tibetan demonstrators and injured many more during protests against Chinese rule.