Probably have. Just not telling us in case he has some mates that the cops might like to have a word with.

They've said they do know his identity and they're doing background checks on him.

Apparently, staff have been let back into the channel 7 building and can see the hostages through the window.
This seems really odd to me!

They were just reporting from the Channel 7 building when the lights in the cafe were turned out so that people can't see in any more.

About the only thing clear is the lack of clarity. Best assume nothing. Although with the lack of accountability with the present government and the compulsion to secrecy of those taking part whose to know?

Although if it did come out as such feathers would certainly fly .

I think we need to put our freedom of movement to one side for the time being, safety of the people must be the main priority at this time.
If Sydney didn't put the safety of the people first and this incident turned out not to be the only one going off in the city. Then they would be hell to pay. I think it's better to be safe than sorry personally.

It's not just about London, as I mentioned earlier. If it's Islamic extremists we are talking about here, then it involves every major western city that has stood in the way of their uncivilised barbaric regimes - the countries who have offered their help to try and bring the regime down by allowing use of their utilities, man-power, air-power etc...They are all targets, just as much as London is.


Yep, you have to try and go on regardless, absolutely. For me speaking as a mother, the worry is never going to go away until this threat has been dealt with. And I don't see that being anytime soon.

Police say they are prepared if the siege goes on for days. What ????? Please get those poor terrified hostages out asap, even if that means taking out the gunman.

It's a bit worrying to see all the fire engines.
It makes me wonder if authorities suspect there may be a bomb.

The longer it goes on, the better chances of a peaceful resolution. Lots of my friends work in the area and are thankfully ok. Our thoughts are with all of those hostages and their families.

If this ends badly and I sincerely hope it doesn't, it'll make the Cronulla race riots look like the teddy bear's picnic.


Looks like something is going on in Belguim now!

I agree - I think if he was going to kill someone, he would have done it by now.

Fingers crossed for a peaceful resolution.

Indeed.

Wish I had your confidence "the longer it goes on,the better chances of a peaceful resolution". The longer it goes on the more desperate the gunman will become, especially if his demands are not met, and then who knows what he will do. We are talking about Islamic extremists who are willing to die in the name of Allah and take innocent people with them.

Of course there is that side of it. But if he is completely unhinged ( and I realise he is only about 3 microns away from that) I would have thought when the 5 people escaped he would have done whatever he was going to do then.

Hostages have their mobiles, been given food etc. now he might just be waiting for the right time, but it strikes me that whatever he was going to do has been botched. He's either buying time to consider his options, or he's hoping that by manipulating the media for as long as possible, he can get some sort of indication on what to do next.

If he is a complete nutter with a huge 'grand plan' he's a very patient one.

He's kept a lot of people for a long time. He's forced a hostage to read out his demands, and the video has been sent to major news stations, including the ABC. He has a brain, and that makes this situation even more terrifying.

As a counter to anti-Muslim sentiment, a social media campaign is going gangbusters on Twitter. #I'll ride with you is seeing ordinary people around the country offering to ride on the bus or train with Muslim people who are wary of public reaction at this time, particularly those who wear the clothing of their religion. There are some very good people in the world

#illridewithyou: support for Muslim Australians takes off following Sydney siege - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)