Pro-democracy groups on Friday welcomed Leung Chun-ying's promise of talks, but reiterated their demand that the Beijing appointee stand down.

The Hong Kong Federation of Students said in a statement early on Friday that they planned to take part in any meeting, focusing specifically on political reforms. They repeated their demand that Leung step down, claiming he had "lost his integrity."

The wider Occupy Central group expressed hope that the talks would "provide a turning point in the current political stalemate."

There was a sense of relative calm on the streets of the financial hub on Friday morning, after the government offer. However, a scuffle did appear to take place outside a besieged government office, with police claiming they needed to clear a path for a sick officer in need of an ambulance.

Leung said he had asked a top civil servant to talk to protesters but was defiant about stepping down

Ahead of a deadline set by students for Leung to quit, tensions appeared to be mounting close to the waterfront. Protesters had threatened to occupy government buildings if their demands were not met.

Leung had warned of "serious consequences" if protesters went through with their threat. Police had been seen assembling supplies of tear gas and other riot gear, while protesters prepared themselves with goggles and face masks.

Talks promised, protests 'doomed' to fail

The "ultimatum" demanding Leung's resignation and a fundamental change to Hong Kong's electoral system - ran out just as a press conference to announce the offer of dialogue got underway.

Leung said the talks between government representatives and student protesters would take place "in the near future" to bring an end to the unrest that has rocked Hong Kong in the last week.

"I have asked our top civil servant to arrange talks with the protesters," Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told the press conference, referring to Chief Secretary Carrie Lam.

Leung, however, speaking amid periodic outbursts from those present in the room, refused one of the key demands of protesters, saying he would not stand down from Hong Kong's top political position.

The mouthpiece of China's ruling Communist party said on Friday that the cause of the protesters - to undo a piece of legislation requiring candidates for planned 2017 elections to be vetted - was hopeless.

"Upholding the decision of the standing committee of the National People's Congress is the necessary decision, and the only decision," said the People's Daily newspaper, adding that the protests were "against legal principles, and doomed to fail."

rc/jm (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)