Oz PM will not meet Dalai Lama

Melbourne, June 10 : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will not meet the Dalai Lama during his Australian tour.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will give paid lectures to supporters in Sydney from Wednesday to Sunday.

A Federal Government spokesperson today said that Immigration Minister Chris Evans would meet with the Dalai Lama in his capacity as acting Prime Minister while Rudd and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard are overseas.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith will also meet the Dalai Lama during his visit, the spokesperson said.

"This reflects the Dalai Lama's status as an international religious leader and the significant domestic interest in the Dalai Lama's visit, including from the Tibetan immigrant community in Australia,"' the spokesperson added.

Rudd is due back in Australia from his trip to Japan and Indonesia on Saturday night, news.com.au reported.

ANI