Hundreds detained after pro-Tibet protests in Nepal

Kathmandu: Nepali police detained hundreds of Tibetan refugees who tried to storm a Chinese consular office in Kathmandu on Friday.

Police said the Tibetans, who arrived in busloads, and included nuns and monks, had begun a march towards the walled premises of the consular office.

Hundreds of riot police hauled the protesters into iron-meshed blue vans and open trucks and took them to detention centres.

They said at least 740 protesters, mostly refugees, had been detained and more were expected to be rounded up as the protests continued outside the office.

"We want that the Tibetans should stop protesting, taking into consideration the longlasting relations of friendship with China," said Nepali Home Ministry spokesman Modraj Dotel.

China is an influential neighbour, donor and trade partner of impoverished Nepal which considers Tibet a part of China.