Tibet Protests Could Snuff Olympic Torch's UK Visit

The Olympic torch will pass through London on April 6, meeting major protests over China's human-rights abuses in Tibet and other causes. The visit will test how disruptive political forces could be on the Summer Games—and how well British security forces are preparing for the 2012 London Olympics, the Times of London reports.

A security expert warns that trouble could affect Britain's plans for a torch relay in 2012. "It is reprehensible that anyone should use the torch for political ends," he said. Protests are planned elsewhere on the torch's 19-city international agenda, but the relay Beijing bills as "a journey of friendship, peace and harmony" could be cut short if London demonstrations turn violent. (More Tibet stories.)