The exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader also repeated his call for an independent international probe into the unrest and subsequent Chinese crackdown, and again rejected Chinese allegations that he was behind the unrest.

In a statement released from his home in exile in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, he urged Tibetans to refrain from violence and asked them not to disrupt the events leading up to the Beijing Olympics in August.

"The recent protests all over Tibet have not only contradicted but also shattered the People's Republic of China's propaganda that except for a few 'reactionaries', the majority of Tibetans enjoy a prosperous and contented life," the Dalai Lama said.

"These protests have also conveyed to the world that the Tibet issue can no longer be neglected."

China blames the Dalai Lama for protests that began in Tibet's capital Lhasa on March 10. Rioting erupted in the city four days later, and protests spread to other parts of western China with Tibetan populations.

China says Tibetan rioters have killed 20 people. But Tibet's government in exile said Saturday that more than 150 Tibetans have been killed in Beijing's crackdown on the demonstrations against China's rule of the Himalayan region.

The Dalai Lama Sunday again said claims that he was behind the unrest were "totally untrue," challenging Chinese authorities to produce evidence against him and saying an international probe was the only way to "uncover the truth."

"If the People's Republic of China has any basis and proof of evidence to back their allegations, they need to disclose these to the world. Just making allegations is not enough," he said.

Amid mounting calls for Beijing to meet with the Dalai Lama to allay tensions before the Olympics, he nevertheless urged Tibetans not to disrupt the Games or the torch relay, which was to go through London on Sunday.

"I have from the very beginning supported the holding of these Games in Beijing. My position on this remains unchanged," the Dalai Lama said.

"It is the legitimate right of every Tibetan to struggle for their freedoms and rights. On the other hand, it will be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that will create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people."

Tibetan exiles in India -- numbering close to 200,000 -- have threatened to disrupt the relay when the torch arrives in New Delhi on April 17, prompting Indian authorities to step up security measures for the event.

India has also shortened the route of the relay from nine kilometres (six miles) to just a few kilometres in view of the planned protests.

China plans to bring the Olympic torch twice to Tibet, once up Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, in May and then through Lhasa in June.

The 72-year-old Nobel peace laureate said he was "concerned" that China could use more force and increase the suppression of Tibetans if tensions were to increase.

He repeated his call to China to "immediately stop suppression in all parts of Tibet" and withdraw police and troops, but also again said he supported the "middle-way approach" for Tibet -- regional autonomy, not independence.

"If this brings results, I would also advise the Tibetans to stop all the current protests," the Dalai Lama said, urging his followers to follow a path of non-violence.

"I know you are being provoked at every level, but it is important to stick to our non-violent practice," he said.

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