The Dalai Lama is scheduled to spend the next four days in Frankfurt. The spiritual lectures he is set to give in the city's Commerzbank stadium are expected to be attended by 30,000 visitors.

Frankfurt's mayor, Petra Roth, welcomed the Dalai Lama, describing him as a man who had tirelessly fought for a resolution to the conflict over Tibet in China. He "symbolizes the fight for peace," she said.

Also on the program for Thursday is a meeting with German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul of the Social Democrats.

This is the second visit to Germany for the Dalai Lama just this year. After being awarded honorary citizenship in Warsaw, Poland, the Dalai Lama arrived in Germany on Wednesday where he met with Roland Koch, the premier of the state of Hesse and a long-time friend and supporter.

hf/AP/dpa
Editor: Chuck Penfold