Seven people have been confirmed dead in the riot that erupted in Lhasa Friday, the Tibet regional government said on Saturday morning.

Most of the victims were business people, the official told Xinhua.

No casualties have been reported among foreigners, an official with the foreign affairs office of the regional government said.

"We have not received any report that foreigners suffered injuries or death in the beating, smashing, looting and burning on Friday," the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)