Beijing: China today said the Dalai Lama himself should be "investigated" for the violent protests in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa or "at least" he should be charged "morally".

"The international community shall ask the Dalai himself his role in the incident. The person to be investigated is he himself. At least he should be charged morally," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters here.

He said the Dalai Lama was not a "simple religious leader but is a political person engaged in separate activities and undermining national unity".

The Dalai Lama had called for international investigation into the crackdown in Lhasa.

"The violence and crime in Lhasa shows once again the essence of their separatist activities. Any government without prejudices will draw the right conclusion," Qin said.

He said there was not even a single country in the world which recognised the "so-called Tibet government-in-exile or Tibet as an independent country".

Qin said the authorities would deal with rioters in accordance with the law to protect the dignity of the law and the fundamental interests of the people.

"Any country s responsible government will not stand blindfolded to such incidents (as in Lhasa)".

Source : PTI