The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing China in 1959 after a failed uprising against Communist rule over Tibet. His government-in-exile is not recognized by any country.

DPA adds from Taipei: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said Taipei had approved the visit of the Dalai Lama to Taiwan to comfort the survivors of Typhoon Morakot.

Ma made the statement while touring south Taiwan, which was hit Aug 8 by the storm. The government held a news conference to formally announce its approval of the visit of the Tibetan leader.

The officials from three southern Taiwan counties and cities invited the Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan to hold prayer meetings for the typhoon victims and bless the survivors.

In December 2008, Ma had said the time was not ripe for the Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan, apparently for fear of hurting improving relations with China.

The Dalai Lama has close ties with Taiwan. He has some 500,000 disciples on the island and opened his representative office in Taipei in 1998.