Hong Kong police clear more protest sites

Police in Hong Kong have moved in to clear a pro-democracy protest site in the Mong Kok area of the city, the BBC reported.

There were no reports of resistance from any of the demonstrators.

Similar operations earlier this week resulted in clashes, with one video of police beating an unarmed protester sparking public outrage.

The protesters, who are angry about China's restrictions on Hong Kong's leadership election in 2017, have been on the streets for three weeks.

In the third dawn operation this week, police wearing riot gear arrived in Mong Kok on Friday and took down barricades and tents that have blocked the streets for more than two weeks.

Thousands of protesters have previously occupied the area but reports said there were just dozens left when police moved in.

It was the largest of the areas to be cleared by police this week, with about 800 officers involved in the operation.

On Thursday, Hong Kong's chief executive CY Leung said the government was ready to hold new talks with student protesters next week.

He said officials had been negotiating with students via mediators this week, in what correspondents said was an attempt to smooth relations with the public after the recent clashes.