ARMED men are holding 40 to 50 people hostage at a cafe in Martin Place in Sydney. There are reports that two gunman have taken hostages, some of which are standing with their hands up at the windows in the popular Lindt chocolate shop, which has two or three entrances. There is also a black and white flag being held up in a window. It is believed to be the Black Standard, a jihadist flag. . 11.37am: There are reports that the gunman wants to speak to Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott is expected to address the nation after he has been fully briefed on the siege. 11.33am: Tony Abbott has just commented on the situation. Jared Owen writes: The Prime Minister has issued 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. “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. “This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. FILELive stream GALLERYHostages held in Martin Place siege End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. “We will provide regular updates as further information becomes available.” 11.30am: A gallery of images from the siege so far GALLERY: Hostages held in Martin Place siege 11.28am:Michaela Boland writes: Lindt Australia chief executive Steve Loam was behind the police cordon in Macquarie Street, having received a call from his retail director at 9.50. “We immediately came down here but I haven’t been able to get any closer than this,” he said. “Employee-wise there’s maybe 10 to 12,” he added. He said there’s no suggestion the siege was targeted against his company. “I’m scared for them and hoping they’re going to be OK,” he said. “Our retail director is with police giving information on what people are inside.” 11.26am:Steve Creedy writes: A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman confirmed that there was no need to declare restricted or closed airspace over Sydney. The spokesman said airspace over the CBD was fully controlled to the ground. 11.21am:Andrew White writes: Martin Place has become more of a shopping strip in recent years with high end retails from Armani and Paspaly moving into ornate sandstone and granite former bank buildings. But it also hosts the Reserve Bank of Australia at the top of Martin Place and the new global headquarters of Macquarie Bank in a former Commonwealth Bank building directly the lindt cafe The MLC building hosts the US Consulate, offices of former prime minister John Howard, and barristers office including Blackstone Chambers and is being evacuated. A spokesman for the RBA declined to comment on security matters. Macquarie Bank staff received text messages shortly after 10am advising them not to come could not be reached for comment. Staff of BT Financial Group at 60 Martin Place have been advised not to evacuate and stay away from the window 11.18 am:Paul Maley reports that there are eight hostages in the cafe, being held hostage by one man. 11.17am:Anthony Klan reports from the Opera House: The Sydney Opera House was in lockdown following reports a suspicious package had been found on the premises. According to reports a spokeswoman denied a package had been found but declined to comment further. The Opera house had been shut off with barricades and a police helicopter has been closely circling the iconic structure and monitoring bystanders. About 200 people, most appearing to be tourists have gathered on the western side of the opera house. Security guards have been overheard telling tourists the situation is a “training event”. Riot police have just arrived at the main steps of the Opera House and are circling the building. 11.13am: An exclusiion zone has been placed around the Sydney Opera House after a suspicious package was found there. 11.12am: Seven is reporting that 13 people are inside the cafe, being held hostage by two men. 11.11am: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: - An unconfirmed number of hostages are being held inside the Lindt Chocolat Café in Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD. - Hostages have been forced to hold an Islamic flag with white writing on it against the window of the cafe. - Workers in nearby buildings, including the Seven Network and the NSW government building, have been ordered to evacuate the area. - Police have cordoned off the area to about 150m. 11.10am: Airservices Australia has just said that airspace had not been closed over Sydney.. 11.03am: Aaron Zelin, an Islamic expert in Washington, has tweeted clarification about the flag in the Lindt window.

• published: 15 Dec 2014
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