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(UPDATED) Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying says the street protests has 'spun out of control' and warns it was highly unlikely the action would alter Beijing's position

A file picture dated 12 March 2014 shows Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying at a press conference in Hong Kong, China. Alex Hofford/EPA

HONG KONG (UPDATED) Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters have an "almost zero chance" of changing Beijing's stance and securing free elections despite more than two weeks of rallies, the city's embattled leader Leung Chun-ying said Sunday, October 12.

Demonstrators calling for Beijing to grant full democracy to the former British colony have paralyzed parts of Hong Kong, prompting clashes with elements who oppose the blockades and widespread disruption.

Despite repeated orders to disperse, the rallies have taken on an air of permanence, with tents, portable showers and lecture venues drawing thousands of people in recent evenings.

In an interview broadcast on local channel TVB Sunday, Leung said the street protests had "spun out of control" and warned it was highly unlikely the action would alter Beijing's position.

After police were criticized for unleashing tear gas on the rallies in late September, the city's chief executive said that if the government had to clear the protests sites, police would use a "minimum amount of force".

China announced in August that while Hong Kongers will be able to vote for Leung's successor in 2017, only two or three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand an arrangement the protesters dismiss as "fake democracy".

Since last month students and pro-democracy campaigners have taken to the streets sometimes in their tens of thousands to call for Beijing to change its position and allow full, free and fair elections and to demand Leung's resignation.

"In achieving universal suffrage in 2017, if the prerequisite is to put down the Basic Law and the decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, I believe we all know that the chance is almost zero," Leung said.

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HK chief: Democracy movement has 'almost zero chance'

Demonstrators calling for Beijing to grant full democracy to the former British colony have paralysed parts of Hong Kong for more than two weeks, causing widespread disruption and prompting clashes between protesters and residents who opposed road blockades.

In an interview broadcast on a local channel TVB Sunday, Leung said the street protests had "spun out of control" and warned it was highly unlikely the action would alter Beijings position.

He added if the government had to clear the protests sites, police would use a "minimum amount of force" to handle the situation.

China announced in August that while Hong Kongers will be able to vote for Leungs successor in 2017, only two or three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand -- an arrangement the protesters dismiss as "fake democracy".

Since last month students and pro-democracy campaigners have taken to their streets -- sometimes in their tens of thousands -- to call for Beijing to change its position and allow full, free and fair elections and to demand Leungs resignation.

"In achieving universal suffrage in 2017, if the prerequisite is to put down the Basic Law and the decision made by the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, I believe we all know that the chance (achieving) is almost zero," Leung said during the TV interview.

Crunch talks between student leaders and city officials collapsed last week, plunging the former British colony which is now under Chinese rule, in to a fresh crisis as protesters have vowed to dig in for the long haul.

Leung was unable to say specifically how the current stalemate could end despite repeatedly asked by the programme host during the interview.

He added: "Weve resorted to all kinds of persuasions, the way we resolve it in the end is being constantly reviewed. We absolutely would not prefer clearing the venue, but if one day the venue has to be cleared, I believe the police will use their professional judgement and training using minimum amount of force," he said.

Leung also insisted he would not resign saying it would not resolve the situation.

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HK leader says democracy movement has 'almost zero chance'

The Memorial House of the Bulgarian Communist Party on mount Buzludzha anunusual structure, known locally as "the Saucer" has fallen into disrepair since the fall of the Communist regime in 1989, although it remains a popular site for graffiti artists.

A monument is seen near the Memorial House of the Bulgarian Communist Party on mount Buzludzha.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Photographers take pictures inside the crumbling main hall of the Memorial House of the Bulgarian Communist Party.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

The monument is now a crumbling and decaying reminder of Bulgaria's past.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

A mosaic is pictured inside the Memorial House of the Bulgarian Communist Party.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Murals of (L-R) Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin are seen inside the crumbling main hall of the Memorial House of the Bulgarian Communist Party.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

The monument still provides spectacular views of Bulgaria's countryside.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

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Bulgaria's Mount Buzludzha: A Decaying Monument to Communism

Christianity and socialism
A Christian #39;s view on why socialism and communism are evil and not the plan of God.

By: cazz792033

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Christianity and socialism - Video

Emily Benn (centre), pictured with her uncle Hilary Benn, currently the Shadow Communities Secretary, and grandfather Tony Benn in 2007.

HE was renowned as an outspoken champion of socialism, loved by the Left.

But former Bristol South East MP Tony Benn's granddaughter got a shock when she took an online quiz calledWhich British Prime Minister Are You? - only to be toldshe was closest to his arch-nemesis,Margaret Thatcher.

Emily Benn is aLabour councillor in Londonand wasone of the party's youngest candidates in the 2010 General Election.

But after taking the quiz on website BuzzFeedOn Facebook, the 25-year-old made a shock revelation, saying:"I got Margaret Thatcher."

The quizincludes probing political multi-choicequestions suchasWhich Peep Show Character would you invite for dinner, choose your favouriteJames Bond and select a Kanye Westlyric.

Under "Choose some bling", participants could choose between a watch, set of pearls, bracelet, a set of earrings, a ring or a monocle.

For another question, they are asked "All you need is?", with the options of love, money, family, glory, power or a nice country home.

Explaining the shock result, Ms Benn said: "I blame the 'bling' question, as I naturally opted for the double row of pearls.

"Or perhaps the 'all I want is a nice large country home'?"

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KenMcCormick published What would Tony say? Quiz finds firebrand Bristol MP's granddaugh...