China Rips 'Vile' London Torch Protests

A day after protesters in London nearly extinguished the Olympic flame, Beijing denounced the "tiny number of Tibet independence elements" who threatened the torch relay. "We strongly condemn this vile behavior," said an official. Chinese television focused on cheering crowds in the British capital, followed by a story criticizing the protesters, writes Reuters.

Meanwhile, the head of the International Olympic Committee has called for "rapid, peaceful resolution in Tibet," and reiterated that he does not foresee a boycott of the Beijing Games. Jacques Rogge voiced his concern that violence was tainting both the torch relay and the upcoming games. Today the Olympic flame makes its way through Paris amid a massive security operation, while in China several Tibetans go on trial for deadly rioting. (More 2008 Beijing Olympics stories.)