The surgery was "a routine procedure" and was "successful", he said. The 73-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader was admitted to hospital on Thursday.

In August he was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai (Bombay) after he complained of stomach pains.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala, in northern India, since fleeing Tibet after an abortive uprising in 1959.

His aide Chhime Chhoekyapa was quoted by news agency Reuters as saying that "otherwise, the Dalai Lama's health is fine".

Doctors had earlier advised him to cut down on long travel and to rest more.

Last month, he cancelled two trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic as he was suffering fatigue, according to his advisers.

China has stepped up its verbal attacks on the Nobel peace prize-winner since violence broke out against Chinese rule in Tibet in March.

Beijing has accused the Dalai Lama of stirring up unrest, a charge he denies.


BBC