No foreigner has been harmed since Friday's riot in Tibet's capital Lhasa, said Ju Jianhua, director of the autonomous region's foreign affairs office.

"The government of Tibet Autonomous Region has attached great importance to the safety of lives and property of foreign experts working in Tibet, foreign students and tourists," said Ju.

"Currently, foreigners in Tibet are quite safe. And they have been well protected."

For those foreigners who demand to leave, the office will coordinate civil aviation, railway and highway departments to provide convenience for them, Ju said.

The office will also contact with tourism departments to adjust travel routes and provide services to ensure their safety, the official said.

An outburst of commotion broke the peace of Lhasa on Friday afternoon.

Lhasa police rescued more than 580 people, including three Japanese tourists, from the violent array of sabotage.

As of Sunday, more than 20 foreign tourists had left Tibet safely with the help of local government.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2008)