http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/15/390339/aussie-hostage-taker-wants-isil-flag/
Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:13AM GMT
Elly Chen escapes from the cafe where a gunman has taken a number of people hostage in Sydney, Australia, December 15, 2014.
A gunman holding an unknown number of hostages in a café in the southeastern Australian city of Sydney has reportedly demanded a flag belonging to the ISIL militants fighting in Syria and Iraq.
The gunman has also requested to speak with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott through hostages who contacted a number of media organizations on Monday.
The latest developments come after reports said five of the hostages being held in the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place managed to escape.
Reports say as many as 40 hostages, including 10 staff members and 30 customers, are inside the café.
The demand for the ISIL flag comes hours after footage and images showed hostages were forced to press themselves to the cafe’s windows and hold a black flag with white Arabic writings. The flag is said to belong to the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, which is another terrorist group fighting against the Damascus government in Syria.
According to Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn, scores of armed police forces remain on guard in Martin Place as the hostage crisis unfolds.
Addressing the media on Monday, Abbott urged Australians to remain calm in the face of the terror incident.
ISIL militants, who control large areas of Iraq and Syria, have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations and crucifixions, against all communities in both countries, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.
Australia has been on high alert after the Canberra government raised concerns over the return of its nationals who have joined the Takfiri terrorists operating in Syria and Iraq.
SZH/HJL/HRB
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