The Olympic Torch relay reaches Tibet

The latest leg of the controversial The Olympic torch relay passed through the Tibetan provincial capital of Lhasa.

Reports suggest that only a small group of vetted spectators were allowed to watch the flame as it was carried allong the 11km (seven mile) route.

Foreign journalists have been barred from Lhasa but a small group of reporters representing about 30 international news organisations were allowed into the city in to cover the torch relay although they were closely monitored by Chinese officials.

The flame was carried through the streets of Lhasa beginning at Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader now living in exile in India.The closing ceremony took place at iconic hilltop Potala Palace, the traditional seat of Tibetan rulers.

Palma Trily, vice-governor of the Beijing-backed Tibetan government said ahead of the ceremony "We have sufficient confidence and capability to turn tomorrow's Lhasa torch relay into a big success," (Associated Press)

The deafening silence of the Tibetan people suggests that this was a success for the Chinese authorities, a PR exercise which has no credibility and an insult to the people of Tibet