Barack Obama has met with the Dalai Lama despite protests from China at the US welcoming Tibet's spiritual leader.

The White House ensured the meeting was as low key as possible, with press barred and no announcement until hours before the leader was due to close an 11-day trip to Washington.

The two leaders spoke for 44 minutes in the Map Room, part of the White House away from the Oval Office where presidents traditionally meet world leaders.

After the meeting, the Dalai Lama said he felt close to Obama at a "human level" and that the US leader shared his concerns about the situation in Tibet.

Obama is "president of the greatest democratic country, so naturally he is showing concern about basic human values, human rights, religious freedom," he said.

"This meeting underscores the President's strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans," a White House statement said.





"The President will highlight his enduring support for dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government to resolve differences."

China has lodged an official protest with the foreign ministry urging the US to "immediately revoke its decision" and to "honour its serious commitment that recognises Tibet as part of China".

"We are firmly opposed to any foreign politician meeting the Dalai Lama in any form whatsoever," spokesman Hong Lei said, warning that the meeting "could harm US-Chinese relations".

Mr Obama last met the Dalai Lama in February 2010 and the White House is trying to make the present visit as low-key as possible.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile from Tibet since 1959 when China's communist Government retook control of the country.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, a declared pacifist, says he is peacefully seeking rights for Tibetans and accepts Chinese rule.

Four consecutive sitting US Presidents have met the Dalai Lama.

But only George W Bush appeared in a public capacity with him when he presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.



