Norwegian explorer flies Tibetan flag on North Pole

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A Norwegian polar explorer said on Monday that he flew the Tibetan flag on the North Pole to highlight the issue of human rights in the Chinese-ruled Himalayan region.

In an e-mail to Reuters, Inge Solheim said he had flown the flag hoping to inspire governments dealing with China to support Tibetan rights. An accompanying photo showed him standing on a block of snow holding the flag with gloved hands against a cloudless sky.

"It was an honor to bring the Tibetan flag to the top of the world," Solheim said in the e-mail sent by satellite. "I hope it can inspire Tibetans in Tibet and the rest of the world to continue their fight for basic human rights and their right to live and govern in their own country."

Tibet has attracted attention in recent weeks amid international concern over China's crackdown on rioting last month. The running of the Olympic torch ahead of the August 2008 games in Beijing has sparked large anti-China, pro-Tibet protests in cities including London, Paris and San Francisco.

"The Norwegian government and other governments have to support them in their fight," Solheim said. "Even if it means that they risk losing business deals or their relationship with China. Who wants to be friends with or do business with a brutal tyranny anyway?"

Solheim has made a number of past trips to the North Pole and is the founder of Borderland, a company that takes visitors to the pole.

(Reporting by Adam Tanner; Editing by Eric Beech)