Hostages in café forced to hold black flag
A group of people was taken hostage in a café in Sydney’s Martin Place and forced to hold a black flag with Arabic writing against the window.
Armed police cleared the square in the city ’s central business district, as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott convened the cabinet’s national security committee for briefings on the siege.
“We don’t yet know the motivation of the perpetrator,” Abbott told reporters in Canberra. “We don’t know whether this is politically motivated although obviously there are some indications that it could be.”
Police said they were trying to make contact with people inside the Lindt café and urged people in the area to stay indoors and away from open windows.
Australia had raised its terrorism alert to the highest level in a decade in September, citing the threat posed by supporters of Islamic State, and days later police carried out their largest anti- terrorism raid, foiling an alleged beheading plot.
As many as 10 staff may be inside the Lindt, which generally has about 30 customers during the mid- morning, Lindt Australia’s chief executive officer, Steve Loane, said.
About half- a- dozen armed officers wearing helmets and body armour were stationed on a nearby corner, about 20 metres from the entrance to the café in Martin Place, a plaza in the heart of the city ’s financial and shopping district that is packed with holiday shoppers this time of year.
Channel Seven showed images of people inside the café with their arms up pressed against the window and holding a black flag with white lettering. New South Wales police confirmed an operation was underway in Martin Place, and declined to provide further details. Sky News said the Sydney Opera House was evacuated after a suspicious package was found. A police spokeswoman said no injuries had been reported from the incident.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other Canadian government officials were closely watching the situation.
“Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends,” Harper tweeted.