Australia PM addresses nation on Sydney hostage crisis

Australia PM addresses nation on Sydney hostage crisis
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/15/390294/abbott-urges-calm-amid-hostage-crisis/
Mon Dec 15, 2014 3:2AM GMT

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called on the nation to remain calm as police forces are dealing with a tense hostage situation at a café in central Sydney.

In an address to the nation on Monday, the premier called on people to stay calm in the face of the “disturbing” hostage crisis in Sydney, and trust the police forces who are handling the situation.

“This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australian people,” Abbott said, calling on the people “to go about business as usual.”

His comments come after gunmen took as many as 30 people hostage inside the Lindt Café in Sydney’s central business district. There was no immediate confirmation of the exact number of attackers and captives.

Meanwhile, footage aired by the Australian television showed a black flag with white Arabic writings being held against a window of the place by terrified hostages. The flag allegedly belongs to the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, one of the Takfiri terror groups operating against the government in Syria.

Scores of armed police forces have sealed off Martin Place in central Sydney and surrounded the chocolate shop. Police officials said they were responding to an “incident” at the nearby Opera House, without elaborating. The Opera House was reportedly evacuated after a suspicious package was found there.

Abbott did not provide any information on the unfolding siege, saying the motivation behind the hostage-taking was still unknown.

“We don’t yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be,” he added.

Martin Place is home to several prominent buildings, including New South Wales, state leader Mike Baird’s office, the Reserve Bank of Australia, Westpac Bank, and the Commonwealth Bank.

In recent months, Australia has been on high alert after the Canberra government raised concerns over the return of the citizens who have joined the Takfiri terrorists operating in Syria and Iraq.

MKA/NT/AS