Obama meets Dalai Lama, shares concerns about human rights

Washington: Defying Chinese protest, US President Barack Obama on Saturday met Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the White House and shared "genuine concerns" about human rights in Tibet.

The meeting lasted for 44 minutes, White House officials said.

Emerging out of the meeting held in the Map Room of the White House, officials representing the Dalai Lama said the US President shared "genuine concerns" about human rights in Tibet.

After the meeting, the Dalai Lama said Obama is the President of the greatest democratic country, so naturally he is showing concern about basic human values, human rights, religious freedom.

"This meeting underscores the President's strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans," the White House said in a statement.

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Obama last met the Dalai Lama in February 2010.

Saturday's meeting was scheduled to be held at the Map Room of the White House and not his Oval office. The meeting was closed for the press.

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"The President will highlight his enduring support for dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government to resolve differences," the White House said.