Nine News Sydney @9NewsSyd · 27m 27 minutes ago
UPDATE: Reports food is being taken to the back of the Lindt building in the midst of #SydneySiege. #9News
53s ago
19:48
Siege enters 11th hour - what we know
Five hostages have fled the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place in Sydney and an unknown number remain inside. It is not clear if the hostages escaped or were freed and police are not confirming either ways for operational reasons. One of the hostages is in St Vincent’s Hospital in a “satisfactory condition”.
Police have identified the gunman but have asked media outlets not to publish his name. At this stage there is only one confirmed gunman.
Police are treating the siege as a Counter Terror operation.
The gunman took customers and staff at the Lindt Cafe hostage at 9.45am AEDT in Sydney and has contacted multiple media outlets making demands through the hostages.
Mosques, synagogues and churches across Australia are inviting the public to gather tonight to pray for a peaceful resolution to the siege at Lindt Cafe in Sydney in a show of multi-faith unity.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said the gunman has political motivations in a statement to media:
This is a very disturbing incident. It is profoundly shocking that innocent people should be held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation.
Premier Mike Baird and NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, are due to give another press conference in about half an hour. I am going to hand the reins of the liveblog over to the trusty hands of Katharine Murphy and perhaps I will see you again in the morning.