Australian police seek to end hostage incident peacefully

Catherine Burn, New South Wales Dep police commissioner told the media eight hours into the Sydney siege Monday: Our approach is resolving this episode peacefully and the safety of the hostages is paramount – even if this takes time – possibly into the night or even the next day. People are urged to go about business as normal outside the exclusion zone with is surrounded by heavily armed police in place. It is a sensitive negotiation. Hostages who escaped are being questioned. The perpetrator’s motivation is still a matter of speculation. All forms of communication are being monitored for information. The police officer did not seem concerned by the planting of bombs in Sydney’s business center.