Sarkozy condemned

Beijing: China criticised a planned meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled Buddhist leader, implying on Tuesday that the Tibet issue was an “unnecessary disturbance” in bilateral relations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang reiterated Beijing’s opposition to any contact between the Dalai Lama, whom China accuses of conducting separatist activities overseas, and foreign heads of state. Sarkozy has said he would hold the meeting with the Dalai Lama on December 6 during a visit to Gdansk, Poland. — AP

Cops killed in blast

NEW DELHI: Suspected communist rebels blew up a bridge in India’s restive east on Tuesday, killing five police officers who were escorting election officials, police said. The election officials were not harmed in the blast, which also left one police officer wounded. Officials from India’s Election Commission are in the region to hold polls for the state legislature. The rebels triggered the land mine as the police were walking across the bridge in Bastar district in Chhattisgarh state, said Upadhyaya. The rebels then escaped into a forested area. — AP