Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says protesters involved in the latest clashes with the police could be described as "rioters" and that she supports police upholding the law and seeking those responsible.
Ms Lam made the comments on Monday at a hospital where three police officers were being treated for injuries sustained in skirmishes on Sunday with demonstrators angry about a controversial extradition bill.
Hong Kong has been rocked by a string of large and sometimes violent street protests over the past month over the now-suspended extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to China to face trial in courts under ruling Communist Party control.
Critics of the bill say it threatens Hong Kong's rule of law and want it completely withdrawn and Lam to step down.
Police demand better protection
A Hong Kong police officers' union has urged police chiefs to better protect rank-and-file staff as the city braces for rolling protests in coming weeks over a controversial planned extradition treaty to mainland China.
In a letter to force management seen by Reuters, the Junior Police Officers' Association said it wanted guarantees that police chief Stephen Lo and his senior managers could ensure their "safety and mental health".
