Buddhist monks walk for special prayers at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. The Olympic flame arrived in the country ahead of a relay in which it will be guarded by about 1,000 police watching for possible protesters over China's human rights record. - AP

KATMANDU (AP):

Nepalese soldiers and police guarding the slopes of Mount Everest are authorised to shoot to stop any protests during China's Olympic torch run to the summit, an official said yesterday.

Chinese climbers plan to take the torch to the summit of Everest - the world's highest peak on the border between Nepal and Tibet - in the first few days of May. During that time, other climbers will be banned from the mountain's higher elevations.

Police and soldiers "have been given orders to stop any protest on the mountain using whatever means necessary, including use of weapons," Nepal's Home Ministry spokesman Modraj Dotel said, adding that the use of deadly force was authorised only as a last resort.

Lethal option

The troops will first try to persuade protesters to leave and will arrest those who refuse. If demonstrators defy all non-violent means of restraint, troops have the option of using their weapons, such as in cases where a large group cannot be corralled. It was unclear if the protesters would have to attack or become violent before force was authorised.

Twenty-five soldiers and policemen have already established several camps on the mountain, Dotel said, adding that more troops could be sent if needed.

The torch relay - the longest in Olympic history - was meant to highlight China's rising economic and political power. But activists have seized on it as a platform to protest China's human rights record.

It has drawn particular ire from those denouncing China's rule in Tibet following a a crackdown on demonstrations in the Himalayan region in March.

Tibetan exiles have protested almost daily in the Nepalese capital of Katmandu in front of the United Nations office and the Chinese Embassy against Beijing's rule over the region.

The United Nations and international rights groups have criticised Nepal for using what they say is excessive force to stop the demonstrations. Police have beaten protesters with batons and dragged them through streets while detaining them.

Dotel said Nepal cannot allow any protests against China. There are already dozens of mountaineers on Everest for the popular spring climbing season.

Climbers spend weeks acclimatising and making practice runs up the slopes before attempting the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) summit.

They will be barred from going above Camp 2 at 6,600 metres (21,300 feet) until the Chinese finish their torch run. The harsh weather on Everest allows only about two windows - anywhere from a couple of days to a week - in May when conditions are favourable enough for the push to the summit.