Olympic torch passes peacefully through Tibetan capital as 400 protesters are detained in Nepal

The torch procession passed off in Tibet's capital Lhasa without incident ending at the Potala palace, the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism.

Lhasa was under lockdown with police and troops every few metres along the relay streets, closely watching the groups of residents chosen to cheer on the torch.

Ethnic Tibetans dance during the Olympic torch relay outside Potala palace in Lhasa

The relay came just three months after violent protests against Chinese rule hit the capital.

China accuses the exiled Dalai Lama of inciting protests and riots that erupted around Tibet in March, in a bid to undermine the Beijing Olympics, which open on August 8.

The Dalai Lama denies the charges.

Police arrest protesters outside the Chinese consulate in Nepal

In Kathmandu, police said they detained about 400 protesters. Many scuffled with the police before being pushed into vans.

"The torch relay through Lhasa is to show that Tibet is under the control of China," said Tashi Lama said.

"If China feels that the relay of the torch through Tibet will receive support from the Tibetan people then they are wrong."

Demonstrators were protesting against the relay of the Olympic torch through Tibet

Around 20,000 exiled Tibetans live in Nepal. There have been protests nearly every day in Kathmandu since violence roiled Tibet in March.

Nepal considers Tibet to be a part of China, a key aid donor and trade partner, and does not allow any anti-Beijing activities.

Chinese paramilitary policemen stand guard the spectators attend the ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay