Thousands of protesters occupy the main street leading to the financial Central district from Wanchai district.(Reuters)
Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying Tuesday called on protest leaders to "immediately" withdraw their followers from the streets in his first public comments since pro-democracy demonstrators were tear gassed by police.
"Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I'm now asking them to fulfil the promise they made to society, and stop this campaign immediately," Leung said.
Occupy Central is the main grassroots group behind the last two days of street protests calling for genuine democracy in the former British colony.