LHASA: Religious leaders in the Tibet autonomous region and local government officials condemned Friday's riots that damaged religious peace and order in Lhasa.

The 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu said the sabotage acts run counter to tenets of Buddhism.

"The rioters not only harmed the interests of the nation and the people, but also violated the spirit of Buddhism," the Panchen Lama said. "We resolutely oppose all activities to split the country and undermine ethnic unity. We strongly condemn the crime of a tiny number of people which hurt the lives and properties of the people."