Protests turn Paris Olympic torch run into debacle

By Chris Buckley and Thierry Leveque

BEIJING/PARIS (Reuters) - The Olympic torch relay became a debacle as it passed through Paris on Monday, with organisers forced to carry the flame by bus after pro-Tibet protesters tried to seize it and officials had to extinguish it.

Chinese authorities condemned as "vile" the growing campaign by activists to use the buildup to the Beijing Olympics as a stage on which to condemn China's record in Tibet, on human rights in general and in its foreign policy.

They said there would be no change to the elaborate ritual of carrying the flame around the world.

The Paris torch relay hit trouble almost as soon as it set off from the Eiffel Tower, and was repeatedly halted by protesters who threatened to break through the imposing security cordon thrown around the athletes carrying the flame.

The torch had to be extinguished because of a technical problem, French police said. A Chinese official was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying it was put out for safety reasons.

"Boycott Chinese goods" and "Save Tibet" read banners held by demonstrators.

"We are doing our best but it will take the world to put pressure on China to help bring democracy and human rights to Tibet," said Phurbu Dolker, a 21-year-old Tibetan refugee.

At least 23 people were briefly detained by police, a spokesman for the Free Tibet movement said.