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Sydney siege: Five escape cafe as undisclosed number of hostages held by armed man are forced to display Islamic flag Sydney siege: Five escape cafe as undisclosed number of hostages held by armed man are forced to display Islamic flag
(35 minutes later)
The gunman who is holding people hostage inside a café in Sydney is demanding a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister and has claimed to have four bombs, two inside the café and two in the financial district.The gunman who is holding people hostage inside a café in Sydney is demanding a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister and has claimed to have four bombs, two inside the café and two in the financial district.
The gunman has reportedly agreed to release one hostage if an Isis (also known as Islamic State) flag is delivered to the cafe immediately, according to TEN news in Australia.The gunman has reportedly agreed to release one hostage if an Isis (also known as Islamic State) flag is delivered to the cafe immediately, according to TEN news in Australia.
The network claims to have been contacted by hostages in order for the gunman to make demands, and state the existence of the four bombs.The network claims to have been contacted by hostages in order for the gunman to make demands, and state the existence of the four bombs.
Three men and two women have escaped a cafe in Sydney where an undisclosed number of people were being held hostage by an armed man on Monday morning. The armed hostage-taker was described as appearing "agitated" when three men and two women escaped the cafe in Sydney, where an undisclosed number of people are still being held.
Police have not confirmed whether the people escaped or were set free by the gunman. Police have not confirmed whether the people escaped or were set free by the gunman, but police negotiators have revealed they learned the name of the gunman and made contact.
Footage broadcast on Sky News showed two men running towards a group of police around what appeared to be a fire escape door. In a separate shot another man, wearing a brown apron, was seen running out through the door.
Two hostages run for cover behind a policeman during a hostage siege in a cafe in Sydney (AFP)Two hostages run for cover behind a policeman during a hostage siege in a cafe in Sydney (AFP)
A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held in Sydney (Reuters)A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held in Sydney (Reuters)
A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held, in Martin Place in central Sydney (Reuters) Footage broadcast on Sky News showed two men running towards a group of police around what appeared to be a fire escape door. In a separate shot another man, wearing a brown apron, was seen running out through the door. A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held, in Martin Place in central Sydney (Reuters)
Later footage showed two women wearing aprons with the Lindy chocolate logo fleeing the building.Later footage showed two women wearing aprons with the Lindy chocolate logo fleeing the building.
New South Wales health authorities have confirmed one male hostage is being treated at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.New South Wales health authorities have confirmed one male hostage is being treated at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
Armed officers have surrounded the Lindt Chocolat Café in Martin Place in Sydney's Central Business District, where staff and customers have been forced to hold what appeared to be a black Islamic flag against the window.Armed officers have surrounded the Lindt Chocolat Café in Martin Place in Sydney's Central Business District, where staff and customers have been forced to hold what appeared to be a black Islamic flag against the window.
It is not known exactly how many people are inside the cafe, although it was reported that a Lindt executive had said there were 10 staff members in the venue.It is not known exactly how many people are inside the cafe, although it was reported that a Lindt executive had said there were 10 staff members in the venue.
Chris Reason, a reporter at Channel 7, a broadcaster whose offices were evacuated as it faces the café, has said on Twitter that he has been let back inside the newsroom and reported seeing around 15 hostages, “a mix of women, men, young and old,” who are being forced to stand against windows for up to two hours at a time.Chris Reason, a reporter at Channel 7, a broadcaster whose offices were evacuated as it faces the café, has said on Twitter that he has been let back inside the newsroom and reported seeing around 15 hostages, “a mix of women, men, young and old,” who are being forced to stand against windows for up to two hours at a time.
He reports that food is apparently being delivered to the hostages, with “staff bringing it out from kitchen at the back”.He reports that food is apparently being delivered to the hostages, with “staff bringing it out from kitchen at the back”.
This video image shows the suspected hostage-taker inside the cafe Addressing reporters, New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: “Our approach is to resolve this peacefully, it might take a while but that is our approach.This video image shows the suspected hostage-taker inside the cafe Addressing reporters, New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: “Our approach is to resolve this peacefully, it might take a while but that is our approach.
“We will be working into the night if this situation continues,” she added, describing the situation as a “sensitive negotiation” and said police are “working through this methodically to make sure nobody is injured”.“We will be working into the night if this situation continues,” she added, describing the situation as a “sensitive negotiation” and said police are “working through this methodically to make sure nobody is injured”.
The police have urged “business as usual” for people in Sydney, though Sydney Opera House has reportedly cancelled performances for Monday night and the building was evacuated after reports of a suspicious device.The police have urged “business as usual” for people in Sydney, though Sydney Opera House has reportedly cancelled performances for Monday night and the building was evacuated after reports of a suspicious device.
Burn said earlier that police are with the people that had escaped, and that "the first thing that we are doing is making sure that they are okay. We will then establish who they are, and then we will continue to work with them".Burn said earlier that police are with the people that had escaped, and that "the first thing that we are doing is making sure that they are okay. We will then establish who they are, and then we will continue to work with them".
A black flag with white Arabic writing is held up at the window of the Lindt cafe She said police negotiators were in contact and nobody had been harmed, adding: "We have been working through our negotiations to try to make sure that the people inside are cared for, that they have what they need, so that they don't become ill or injured, so we will continue to do that."A black flag with white Arabic writing is held up at the window of the Lindt cafe She said police negotiators were in contact and nobody had been harmed, adding: "We have been working through our negotiations to try to make sure that the people inside are cared for, that they have what they need, so that they don't become ill or injured, so we will continue to do that."
New South Wales's Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione confirmed that the incident involved "an armed offender" and "an undisclosed number of hostages", and that they had not as yet had any communication or contact with the hostage-taker. On being questioned, Mr Scipione said there was "at least one armed offender", and the police were operating "on a terrorism footing".New South Wales's Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione confirmed that the incident involved "an armed offender" and "an undisclosed number of hostages", and that they had not as yet had any communication or contact with the hostage-taker. On being questioned, Mr Scipione said there was "at least one armed offender", and the police were operating "on a terrorism footing".
Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The flag seen in the window is believed to be the Shahada, which carries a message that translates as: "There is no deity of worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The flag seen in the window is believed to be the Shahada, which carries a message that translates as: "There is no deity of worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God." 
Armed police officers were seen outside the café with their guns drawn, and a man with a backpack inside the cafe could be seen walking back and forth in front of the glass doors. The building it is in contains a number of state government bodies.Armed police officers were seen outside the café with their guns drawn, and a man with a backpack inside the cafe could be seen walking back and forth in front of the glass doors. The building it is in contains a number of state government bodies.
Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The newsroom at broadcaster Channel7, which is about 30 metres away, was evacuated.Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The newsroom at broadcaster Channel7, which is about 30 metres away, was evacuated.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.
"We don't yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be," Abbott told reporters in Canberra."We don't yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be," Abbott told reporters in Canberra.
"This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people," Abbott said, without providing any information on the unfolding siege."This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people," Abbott said, without providing any information on the unfolding siege.
Mr Abbott's office earlier released a statement: "New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney.Mr Abbott's office earlier released a statement: "New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney.
To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.
"I have spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance."I have spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance.
"The National Security Committee of Cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation.""The National Security Committee of Cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation."
“This is chilling,” said Kylie Gillies, host of Channel7’s The Morning Show as she watched events from the studio.“This is chilling,” said Kylie Gillies, host of Channel7’s The Morning Show as she watched events from the studio.
Talk radio presenter Ray Hadley claimed on Twitter that he was rung by a hostage while on air. He took the call off air and the station, 2GB, then said that the NSW police commissioner has confirmed this.Talk radio presenter Ray Hadley claimed on Twitter that he was rung by a hostage while on air. He took the call off air and the station, 2GB, then said that the NSW police commissioner has confirmed this.
Police close a street where a cafe is being used to hold hostages in the central business district of Sydney Her colleague Shelly Horton, a journalist with the station, tweeted: “Terrifying siege in Martin Place. Those poor hostages. My @themorningshowon7 @sunriseon7 friends have been evacuated.”Police close a street where a cafe is being used to hold hostages in the central business district of Sydney Her colleague Shelly Horton, a journalist with the station, tweeted: “Terrifying siege in Martin Place. Those poor hostages. My @themorningshowon7 @sunriseon7 friends have been evacuated.”
Earlier on Monday, police arrested a 25-year-old man in the city as part of operations to disrupt the flow of money and fighters to conflict zones such as those in Iraq and Syria.Earlier on Monday, police arrested a 25-year-old man in the city as part of operations to disrupt the flow of money and fighters to conflict zones such as those in Iraq and Syria.
The police commissioner confirmed that the two incidents were not in any way linked.The police commissioner confirmed that the two incidents were not in any way linked.
John Key, the New Zealand Prime Minister, is one of the world leaders to have sent messages of support to Mr Abbott.John Key, the New Zealand Prime Minister, is one of the world leaders to have sent messages of support to Mr Abbott.
I’ve contacted Prime Minister @TonyAbbottMHR to let him know our thoughts are with the people of Australia today.I’ve contacted Prime Minister @TonyAbbottMHR to let him know our thoughts are with the people of Australia today.
Australia is on high alert for attacks by radicalised Muslims or by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East, having raised its threat level to high and undertaken a series of high-profile raids in major cities.Australia is on high alert for attacks by radicalised Muslims or by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East, having raised its threat level to high and undertaken a series of high-profile raids in major cities.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that at least 70 Australians were fighting in Iraq and Syria backed by about 100 Australia-based "facilitators".Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that at least 70 Australians were fighting in Iraq and Syria backed by about 100 Australia-based "facilitators".
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report