Hong Kong leader CY Leung refuses to quit

Risingbd Desk: Hong Kong`s Chief Executive CY Leung has said he will not resign amid calls from pro-democracy protesters for him to step down.

But he said his government was willing to hold talks with the protesters.

The protesters - angry at China`s plan to vet candidates for polls in 2017, saying they want full democracy - have surrounded two key government buildings in the territory.

Mr Leung warned that they were breaking the law.

At a news conference shortly before the protesters` midnight deadline for his resignation expired, Mr Leung warned that attempts to move on or occupy government buildings would be met with a police response.

He said the territory`s top civil servant, Carrie Lam, would open a dialogue with student leaders as soon as possible.

"The Hong Kong government is always willing to discuss the (political) reforms," he said.

The protesters have massed outside the Office of the Chief Executive and the Central Government Complex.

Police had earlier warned protesters not to try to breach the police cordon protecting the buildings.

Police spokesman Steve Hui told reporters: "The police will not stand by and watch. We will decisively uphold the law."

At his news conference, Mr Leung said the protesters around government buildings had so far been "very rational and restrained", adding: "I hope they will continue to be like that."

 

BBC Online

 

risingbd/Oct 2, 2014/Augustin Sujan