Protesters in Hong Kong demonstrate on June 16, 2019 against an extradition bill that has since been suspended.

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday she's committed to completing her term despite massive protests calling for her resignation — but she apologized for stoking anxiety and conflict with an unpopular legislative plan that would allow criminal extraditions to mainland China.

Lam, the territory's chief executive, spoke during a televised press conference in her first direct comments since the weekend's massive protests which saw hundreds of thousands demand she quit and completely withdraw the proposed bill.

Lam had raised tensions on Saturday when she announced that she would indefinitely suspend the extradition plan, but would not withdraw it.

While she fell short of withdrawing the bill during Tuesday's address, Lam said that she "will not proceed again with this legislative exercise" if her government does not adequately address the people's concerns.

Citing the need to tackle a host of social and economic issues facing Hong Kong, Lam said that she will work to regain the confidence of its people during the rest of her term, which ends on July 1, 2022.

"So in the next three years ... myself and my team, we will try our very best to rebuild that trust so that we can continue to implement these ... policies," she said.