Beijing: China today said it would allow some foreign journalists to visit riot-scarred Tibetan capital Lhasa this week but for restricted coverage.

"We have organised a trip for more than 10 foreign journalists to understand the incidents there," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a biweekly briefing, partly addressing the demand of Beijing-based international media ever since the outbreak of violence in Lhasa two weeks ago.

"The organisers will arrange interviews with victims of the criminal acts and also visits to those places that were looted or burnt," he said, adding that the media delegation would depart for Lhasa today on a three-day visit.

Qin said "logistical issues" forced the authorities to limit the number of journalists allowed on the visit.

"I believe that through this visit, the press can enhance its understanding of the true nature of the incidents in Lhasa," he said.

China has barred foreigners travelling to Tibet, preventing international media from investigating and confirming its claims.

China's official media has also unleashed commentaries against 'biased' reporting by Western media on the riots, which Beijing says had been "masterminded" by the Dalai Lama.

Commenting on the claims of Tibetan groups that the death toll in the Tibet unrest related incidents was 140, Qin said, "the competent authorities will answer. I cannot provide you the relevant numbers."

At least 19 people were killed and 700 injured after the pro-independence demonstrations led by monks coinciding with 1959 failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet turned violent, spiralling into the first major challenge to Beijing's grip on the region in two decades.

Source : PTI