US climber caught with 'free Tibet' banner expelled from Mt Everest

An American mountaineer hoping to scale Mt Everest had to turn back after he was caught with a banner with 'free Tibet' slogan.

The climber, whose identity has not been disclosed, was caught with the banner at the Everest base camp, reports said. Officials have not revealed any other details.

The climber is the first to be stopped by security officials stationed on the Nepalese side of Mt Everest to prevent anti-China protests during the planned Olympic torch run to the summit.

Chinese climbers plan to take the Olympic flame atop Mt Everest, the world's highest peak, as part of the global relay leading up to the August 8 opening of the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Nepal government has already deployed at least 25 army and police personnel, who have already reached Camp II with logistics and mountaineering equipment, to prevent any activities against China, according to the Home Ministry.

Chinese ambassador Zheng Xianglin met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala twice in less than a month, reiterating his government's concern over the possible obstruction by Tibetan exiles in the Olympic torch relay to Mt Everest. nepalnews.com mk Apr 23 08