DHAKA: The student organisers of Hong Kong’s massive street protests have issued an ultimatum: Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying must step down before the start of any negotiation to end the civil disobedience campaign.

Otherwise, the protests will continue, they warned, reports The Straits Times.

The ultimatum came after the Hong Kong leader asked the protesters to disperse immediately, saying the Occupy Central movement will not change China’s position on political reform in Hong Kong and is affecting the city’s emergency services, economy and international reputation.

In an announcement late Tuesday afternoon, the secretary-general of the Federation of Students Alex Chow also said the students are fighting for public nomination - the right of the public to nominate chief executive candidates instead of having a nominating committee vet them - as well as the abolishment of functional constituencies in the legislative council.

Speaking alongside co-organiser Chan Kin Man, Chow also urged Leung to meet with the student protesters by Tuesday night.

He asked the Hong Kong leader to explain the police’s actions against the protesters and why he had yet to meet them despite repeated calls.

BDST: 1838 HRS, SEP 30, 2014