Five hostages escape armed siege in Lindt café

Five hostages have escaped from the Lindt café in the central business district of Sydney Australia where at least one gunman has been holding dozens of people locked in since early morning Monday local time. One said that there were more than one armed man. It is not clear whether they were freed or escaped. Police are negotiating with the gunman, who says he has planted four bombs in the café and another two are hidden in different parts of the city’s business area. The gunman, who wears a black bandana with Arabic writing, is demanding to talk to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot, for which he will release one hostage, and wants an Islamic flag provided.. He has been calling local media outlets with demands.