Hong Kong's Chief Executive CY Leung has said he will not resign amid calls from pro-democracy protesters for him to step down by midnight.
The protesters have surrounded two key government buildings in the territory.
At a news conference shortly before the protesters' deadline expired, he warned that attempts to occupy government buildings would be met with a police response.
But Mr Leung said his government was willing to hold talks with protesters.
He said the chief secretary of the territory, 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.
Entities 0 Name: Hong Kong Count: 2 1 Name: Leung Count: 2 2 Name: Carrie Lam Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1x1W4hq Title: Hong Kong Protesters Consider Escalating Actions Description: HONG KONG-Pro-democracy protesters pressed their call Thursday for Hong Kong's beleaguered leader to resign, with some threatening to take more provocative steps if their demands aren't met by midnight.
