The International Oly-mpic Committee called on Sunday for a swift end to violence in Tibet but said its primary role was to deliver ‘the best possible’ Olympics in Beijing this year.

Stung by criticism that the IOC was doing too little to pressure Beijing to improve the country's human rights record ahead of the Games in August, IOC president Jacques Rogge said the Olympics would help change China.

"The IOC has already expressed the hope that this conflict should be resolved peacefully as soon as possible," Rogge said in a statement hours before arriving in ancient Olympia for Monday's Olympic torch-lighting ceremony.

"Violence for whatever reason is contrary to the Olympic values and spirit." Exiled Tibetan activists have pledged to demonstrate in Olympia on Monday.

"We believe China will change by opening the country to the scrutiny of the world through the 25,000 media who will attend the Games," Rogge said. "The Olympic Games are a force for good. They are a catalyst for change, not a panacea for all ills."

The 30-minute torch-lighting ritual will see actresses in the role of ancient priestesses coaxing the Olympic flame into life with the help of a parabolic polished mirror in Olym-pia, southwestern Greece, where the Games were born in 776 BC. Greek police have officially given no details about security at the ceremony but a source said ‘stringent security’ will be applied.