Protesters arrested over 'Free Tibet' banner in China

Beijing: Four foreign protesters displaying a "Free Tibet" banner in the Chinese capital were held by police on Wednesday, state media reported, as the Olympic Games torch made its way through the city.

They were "displaying a pro-Tibet independence banner in English," said the brief report from the Xinhua news agency. It did not describe their nationality.

The three men and one woman gathered near the main stadium, where the Games will open, and two of the men climbed electricity poles to unfurl the banner, said Xinhua.

Police rushed to the scene after 12 minutes and took them away, the report said.