Police hold talks with gunman after 5 hostages flee Sydney cafe

Armed police are seen outside a cafe in the central business district of Sydney on December 15, 2014. Hostages were being held inside a cafe in central Sydney on December 15 with an Islamic flag displayed against a window, according to witnesses and reports. (Photo credit: AFP/Peter Parks)

Assailant has hostages call media to make demands after storming coffee shop in city center; number of people being held put at less than 30; defense chief Ya’alon offers help to Australian authorities