Dalai Lama's top man

Lobsang Sangay is a 43-year-old Harvard University scholar who won polls in April and is expected to take the oath as prime minister of Tibet's government-in-exile. He is the new political leader taking over the movement long led by the Dalai Lama.

The 76-year-old Dalai Lama announced his retirement as head of the government-in-exile, a role he set up after the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. He will remain the spiritual leader while stepping down from political leadership.

According to the article, Lobsang Sangay was expected to take the oath as prime minister today, and he plans to name his cabinet in September.

The Middle-Way policy renounces full independence in favour of seeking 'genuine' cultural and religious autonomy for Tibetans inside China. It is the approach advocated by the Dalai Lama and followed by the incoming prime minister.

Lobsang Sangay is seeking a dialogue with Beijing, following the Dalai Lama's Middle-Way policy that aims for cultural and religious autonomy rather than independence.

Tibet's government-in-exile was set up by the Dalai Lama after the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. The article notes that the Dalai Lama led the movement for more than five decades before retiring from political duties.

The article states there are about 6 million Tibetans inside China for whom the Middle-Way policy seeks 'genuine' cultural and religious autonomy.

After announcing his retirement from political leadership, the Dalai Lama will remain the spiritual leader of the Tibetan movement while Lobsang Sangay assumes the political role as prime minister of the government-in-exile.