Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam will formally withdraw a controversial extradition bill, which has been at the center of massive demonstrations this summer and is one of protesters’ five demands, multiple local media reported on Wednesday.

The South China Morning Post said that Lam will meet with pro-establishment allies on Wednesday afternoon at her official residence. Citing sources, the SCMP said that all 43 pro-establishment lawmakers on Tuesday night had been invited to meet with Lam.

Formal withdrawal of the legislation is one of five demands made by protesters. The others are Lam’s resignation and introduction of universal suffrage, rescinding the characterization of protesters as rioters, unconditional release of arrested demonstrators, and creation of an independent commission to investigate complaints of excessive use of force by the police.

While acceding to one demand would be viewed as an olive branch by Lam, protesters have said that they would not settle for anything less than the agreement of all five.

Michael Tien Puk-sun, a pro-Beijing lawmaker in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, told reporters on Wednesday that the withdrawal of the bill would not be enough and “comes too late” to resolve the monthslong standoff. (more…)