Tibetan protesters invade UN complex in Nepal

Tibetan protesters invaded a UN compound in Kathmandu to urge the world body to put pressure on China to end its crackdown in Tibet.

Tibetan protesters invaded a UN compound in Nepal's capital on Tuesday to deliver an appeal to the world body urging it to put pressure on China to end its crackdown in Tibet, officials said.

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It was the second time in a month that Tibetan protesters had succeeded in gaining entrance to the tightly guarded compound, officials said.

"Nine Tibetan protesters rushed into the UN compound after the main gate was opened to let in a UN vehicle," UN spokesman John Brittan said.

The protesters left the premises after handing over their appeal, officials said.

"We asked for UN support to put pressure on China for human rights in Tibet, to free all political prisoners and a proper investigation of China's crackdown," activist Nima Dolkar told AFP after emerging from the compound.

Late last month, 18 teenage students in school uniforms shouting "Free Tibet" invaded the same UN complex and were later escorted out by UN officials.

The protesters entered the compound after police said at least 50 Tibetan protesters, including monks and nuns, were held earlier in the day when police broke up a rally near the Chinese embassy elsewhere in central Kathmandu.

The protesters, shouting anti-China slogans, tried to run towards the embassy compound but were blocked by dozens of police.