IOC calls for end to violence in Tibet

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) called yesterday for a swift end to violence in Tibet but said its primary role was to deliver "the best possible" Olympics in Beijing this year.

Stung by criticism that the IOC was doing too little to pressure Beijing to improve the country's human rights record ahead of the Games in August, IOC chief Jacques Rogge said the Olympics would help change China.

"The IOC has already expressed the hope that this conflict should be resolved peacefully as soon as possible," Rogge said in a statement hours before arriving in ancient Olympia for today's Olympic torch-lighting ceremony.

"Violence, for whatever reason, is contrary to the Olympic values."

Exiled Tibetan activists have pledged to demonstrate in Olympia. Beijing has been criticised following a security crackdown after protests in Tibet in the past two weeks, a region China has occupied and ruled since a 1950 military invasion.