Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung is now ready to meet with leaders of the pro-democracy protesters that have blocked several of the city's main roads for almost three weeks now.

Leung also said the government has been negotiating with the students through  a number of intermediaries during the last few days.

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The Chief Executive did not rule out discussions on democratic reforms as part of any agenda that may be laid out before talks start with the protesters.

There has been no response yet from leaders of the protest movement, who earlier condemned the use of violent tactics by police against some of their members.

A group of police officers was caught on video on Wednesday as they were beating up a demonstrator who had his hands cuffed behind his back. Seven of the officers said to have been in the video have been suspended pending results of an internal police investigation.

"As long as students or other sectors in Hong Kong are prepared to focus on this issue, yes we are ready, we are prepared to start the dialogue," Leung told reporters.

Although he didn't mention a deadline for police to move in and disperse the protesters, Leung said the civil disobedience movement "cannot go on indefinitely."

Leung has stressed that Beijing's position on the manner of nominating candidates for Hong Kong's next Chief Executive will not change. On Thursday, he said there is still room for negotiations on how the nominating committee will be formed.

"In the second round of consultation, we can still listen to everyone's views. There is still room to discuss issues including the exact formation of the nomination committee," the Chief Executive said.