Update | Hours to avoid tragedy, protesters told as thousands attend peace rally
'Dangerous crossroads' ahead, warn moderates urging talks; the situation is evolving 'beyond control' says Leung, who demands clear streets
A stark warning was issued last night that Hong Kong is on the brink of a "tragedy" unless mainly student democracy protesters clear the streets and unblock the heart of the city's government.
With thousands of Occupy Central supporters cramming Admiralty for a peace rally to protest against attacks by triad thugs on Friday, the government's Tamar headquarters remained at the heart of week-long protests.
As students dug in at flashpoints across the city, two prominent moderate former Democratic Party members warned the city was at a very dangerous crossroads.
In a sombre web video, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the government "strongly condemns all violent acts. The situation may probably evolve into a state beyond control, and will have serious consequences for public safety and social order".
Leung described as most "pressing" the need for 3,000 civil servants to be allowed back to work tomorrow morning and for protesters to clear the area outside the Tamar headquarters. Occupy leader Benny Tai responded that protesters would open a channel for civil servants to reach their offices.
Leung's video came as Xinhua reported that "cadres and masses across the country" supported the central government's policies towards Hong Kong and "resolutely oppose" the protests.
Democratic Party member and University of Hong Kong associate professor Dr Law Chi-kwong said in an email to protesters: "This is very likely my last email to all of you. When the students say no to talks, they have removed their last line of protection. Things can turn very drastic within the next couple of hours. I am begging everyone I know to leave, at least staying away from the West Gate of [the Tamar headquarters]. I believe no one in Hong Kong can stop what may happen in the next couple of hours. I beg with tears."
Fellow former Democrat Cheung Man-kwong described the situation as "very dangerous". Cheung urged protesters to open dialogue with the government as soon as possible to find a way out of the deadlock and avoid a "tragedy".
An open letter to Leung from former US consuls general to the city also urged the chief executive to "open dialogue".
The Federation of Students put two conditions on returning to the negotiating table. It demanded the government "thoroughly" investigate claims "police indulged thugs and enforced the law selectively in recent Occupy protests". It also said it would talk only to Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor - not Leung.
Pan-democrat lawmakers have accused the government of colluding with triad gangs to orchestrate attacks on demonstrators in Mong Kok.
"The government has used organised, orchestrated forces and even triad gangs in an attempt to disperse citizens," said Democrat James To Kun-sun, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council's security panel.
Tempers flared again in Mong Kok yesterday, with bottles thrown at demonstrators and scuffles throughout the day.
Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok denied the police had colluded with triads.
Pan-democrats also called for talks with the chief secretary. Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit said they did not trust the chief executive.
Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said: "We welcome dialogue. However, it appears that people with [triad gang] 'backgrounds' are behind the incident."
Independent pan-democrat Joseph Lee Kok-long said the city had "been taken over by triad gangs ... it is anarchy", while Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung from the Labour Party said "our society has reached a point where violence may erupt any time".
