Riot-scarred Tibet reopens to Chinese tour groups, no word on return of foreign visitors

China is welcoming domestic tour groups back to riot-hit Tibet, an official news report said Thursday, but there remains no word on when foreign tourists will be allowed to return.

Four groups of Chinese visitors are expected to arrive in the Himalayan region through Tuesday, the Xinhua News Agency said.

The report quoted Zhanor, the regional deputy tourism director, as saying he did not know when the region would reopen to foreign tourists, who have been banned since violent anti-government riots broke out in the capital, Lhasa, on March 14.

"Tourists needn't worry about their trip in Tibet, and we can ensure good services for them, such as …