The Dalai Lama has cancelled trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic

The Dalai Lama is suffering from exhaustion and has cancelled all his international trips, officials say.

The exiled spiritual Tibetan leader, 73, has cancelled two forthcoming trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, said a statement issued by his office.

The 1989 Nobel peace prize-winner had recently been experiencing "discomfort" which his doctors attributed to "exhaustion", the statement said.

Beijing has accused the Dalai Lama of stirring up unrest in Tibet.

The spiritual leader is due to travel to Mumbai (Bombay) for medical tests and all international engagements scheduled for the next three weeks have been cancelled, according to the statement released on his website.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 during an uprising against Chinese rule, has said he only wants limited autonomy for his homeland, but Beijing accuses him of wanting full independence.

He usually spends large parts of the year teaching Buddhism and promoting the Tibetan people's cause around the world.





