Beijing - Chinese state media on Monday criticized Tibetan independence protesters for attempting to "sabotage" the London leg of the torch relay for the Beijing Olympics.

The protesters' disruption Sunday of the London relay was an "obvious act of defying the Olympic spirit," the official Xinhua news agency quoted a spokesman from the Beijing Olympic organizers, BOCOG, as saying.

"A few 'pro-Tibet independence' activists attempted to sabotage the torch relay in London, which is a serious violation of the Olympic spirit, as the Olympic flame belongs to the world," the unnamed BOCOG spokesman said.

"The act will surely arouse the resentment of the peace-loving people and is bound to fail."

One man tried to snatch the Olympic torch, and another tried to extinguish the flame Sunday as protests against China marred the relay.

More than 30 people were arrested as police scuffled with demonstrators protesting China's crackdown in Tibet and other human- rights issues.

Many protesters had also gathered in the Downing Street area as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown greeted the flag outside his office at Number 10.

China's ambassador in Britain, Fu Ying, also carried the torch during an unannounced change of the route as the relay passed Chinatown, where the torch received a particularly warm welcome. (dpa)