WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will meet exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the White House on Friday, a meeting that comes as the United States raises concerns about tensions and human rights in Tibetan areas of China.
"We are concerned about continuing tensions and the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas of China," said Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council.
"We will continue to urge the Chinese government to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, as a means to reduce tensions," Hayden said in a statement announcing the 10 a.m.(1500 GMT) meeting.
(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Peter Cooney)