Police Storm Sydney Siege Cafe

Heavily armed police have stormed a cafe in Sydney where a gunman identified as an Iranian refugee has been holding dozens of people hostage. Paramedics carrying stretchers raced towards the cafe moments after a volley of loud bangs and flashes. Central Sydney has been in lockdown since the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday morning. Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window. The cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. Download Flash Player now You need to install Flash Player to play this content. More hostages flee Australia siege cafe Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". Man Haron Monis after a court appearance in Sydney, 18 April 2011 Mr Monis is well known to the Australian police The suspect, identified as Man Haron Monis, who received political asylum in Australia in 1996, was on bail facing a number of charges. He was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure. Source:bb