Dalai Lama says Afghanistan war 'mature'

The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has said that the United States bombing campaign against Afghanistan represents a more mature approach than taken during previous wars.

In an interview with the BBC, the Dalai Lama said the selective nature of the bombing, the precautions taken to prevent civilian casualties and the dropping of food packages were signs of change.

He said there was an emphasis on humanitarian concerns, in comparison with the First and Second World Wars, and he believed humanity was becoming more mature.

He was speaking after an address to the European parliament in Strasbourg during which he said the international community should develop a culture where dialogue and non-violence is used to resolve differences.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service