'Umbrella revolution' weathers storm, and CY Leung admits protests set to last
No end in sight to demonstrations, chief executive admits; Beijing believes Hong Kong can handle situation on its own, says source
Thunder and rain failed to dent pro-democracy protests sweeping Hong Kong, as embattled Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying conceded the movement would "last for quite a long while".
Big crowds continued to gather in the city's commercial districts last night despite the sudden downpour.
Holding high the umbrellas they used to fend off riot police, protesters sang songs and chanted slogans in the rain. Roads in Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Central and Mong Kok were transformed into seas of umbrellas - the accidental symbol of Hong Kong's civil disobedience movement that has grabbed worldwide attention.
Speaking publicly for the first time since Sunday's botched attempt to disperse the crowds with tear gas, Leung admitted the protests would not end soon. Still, he urged the organisers to call off the protests, suggesting that the movement was getting "out of control" and affecting emergency services.
"The [impact] on people's daily lives, their personal safety, the city's economic development and the damage to our international image will grow bigger and bigger," Leung warned.
