A top Tibetan official pledged on Thursday to ensure the security of the Olympic torch relay within the region and the planned ascent of the flame to the top of the Mount Qomolangma (Everest).

"To our knowledge, some separatists from within and outside China are seeking to sabotage the Olympic torch relay within Tibet. We are confident and capable of ensuring the security of the relay and taking it to the top of the peak," said Baema Chilain, vice chairman of the Tibetan regional government, at a news conference.

The flame was lit on Monday at the Hera Temple, in Olympia, and the torch will travel through Greece for seven days and arrive in Beijing on March 31. The 137,000-kilometer relay will cover 134 cities on five continents starting on April 1 and ending on Aug. 8 at the main Olympic stadium in Beijing.

The Tibetan official also said the Lhasa riot on March 14 was aimed at sabotaging the upcoming Olympics. Eighteen civilians and one police officer died in the violence.

Chilain said the monks at the Zhaibung Monastery, Gandan Monastery, the Sera Monastery and the Jokhang Temple were being temporarily confined to the premises as the authorities were investigating allegations that some of them led or participated in the violence.

"Tibetan monks are also citizens, and they should abide by the law," he said.

Chilain also said tourists groups are still not advised to visit Tibet, due to the after-effects of the March 14 violence, but he assured the plateau region is open to the outside world.

"The violence caused damages to the tourism, but such damages would only be short term effect. We will not let this single incident undermine the development and the stability of Tibet," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2008)