“This scenario is definitely not on the agenda. We are discussing with Beijing Olympics organisers measures to improve the torch relay,” International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said in Beijing.

Rogge said the IOC has no plans to “interrupt” or bringing the 2008 Olympic Torch directly back to the host city Beijing as the flame continued its longest-ever Olympic run marred by chaos sparked off by protests by Tibetan and human rights activists in London, Paris and San Francisco.

He said, “There is no scenario of either interrupting or bringing back the torch directly to Beijing.”

Rogge said the IOC had discussed the Beijing Olympics torch relay with Chinese authorities and organisers, who had assured that necessary measures would be taken for a smooth passage of the torch.

Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama, starting his first foreign trip since unrest broke out in Tibet, said he personally urged the Tibetan community to respect the Olympic torch relay in San Francisco, where heightened security and re-routing prevented some of the chaos witnessed in London and Paris.

“I really feel sad the government there almost demonises me. But it’s OK,” the Dalai Lama said of China. “I’m just a human being -- hopefully not a demon,” the 72-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner told reporters in Narita, Japan.