President Obama to Meet With Dalai Lama This Month

President Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama later this month, the White House announced Thursday.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs did not specify a date but did confirm the meeting will take place in February at the White House.

The Dalai Lama's secretary has said he will be in Washington Feb. 17-18, The Associated Press reported.

It was unclear whether the president and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader would appear together publicly.

The Chinese government has said it opposes the Dalai Lama's visit to the United States and urged Obama not to meet with him.

Beijing says by campaigning for Tibet's independence, the Dalai Lama is trying to destroy China's sovereignty.