Pro-democracy protesters have again urged Hong Kong's leader to step down saying he will be condemned by history, as huge crowds continue to bring parts of the territory to a standstill.

On Monday night, tens of thousands blocked streets, singing and chanting.

The protesters want Beijing to give Hong Kong a free vote for its next leader, something Beijing has rejected.

By Tuesday streets were relatively quiet but crowds are expected to swell for the eve of Chinese National Day.

Over the weekend police used tear gas and pepper spray, but riot police have since been withdrawn and protesters remain calm.

China has described the demonstrations as illegal and urged the Hong Kong government to bring them under control. News of the protests is being heavily censored in mainland China.

In the US, a White House spokesman urged Hong Kong authorities to "exercise restraint" and protesters to "express their views peacefully".

'Condemned by history'

The protesters are a mix of student protesters and supporters of the pro-democracy Occupy Central group, which has been promising a sit-in at Hong Kong's financial hub for months.

Numbers have swelled amid some public anger over perceived heavy-handed policing of weekend protests.

In its latest statement, Occupy Central accused the government of "delay tactics" after it said it would postpone consultations on electoral reform.

Beijing ruled last month that while Hong Kong people can elect their next leader, their choice of candidates will be restricted to two or three approved by a pro-Beijing committee.

Source: BBC