Dalai Lama will Resign if Tibet Violence Worsens

The Dalai Lama has promised to resign his position as leader of Tibet's government in exile if violent protests in Tibet get out of hand, after China accused him of orchestrating the riots.

"If things become out of control then my only option is to completely resign," Tibet's exiled spiritual leader told a news conference at his base of Dharamsala in northern India.

He urged Tibetans to live peacefully with their Chinese neighbours, stressing that independence for the region was "out of the question." "Don't commit violence, it is not good," the Dalai Lama said.

"Violence is against human nature, violence is almost suicide. Even if 1,000 Tibetans sacrifice their lives, it will not help," he said, stressing that "independence is out of the question."

The goverment-in-exile later claimed that a further 19 protestors have been shot dead in China's Gansu province, bringing the death toll from recent violence to 99. READ MORE