Hostage situation started just before 10 00 a. M. , that would be 6 00 p. M. L local standard time. They have blocked off the there. This im dovt, youve been watching al jazeera, these are the global headquarters. A siege in australia entering a 10th hour after a man believed to be armed walked into a sydney cafe. Five have run from the building. Its unclear how many others are inside. Well, the siege brought much of sydneys Central District to a stand city. This is close to the harbour, thousands of workers have been evacuated from the offices and police set up a cordon around the cafe well, this is the scene in st. Martins place. You can see a couple of armed me, Security Forces there just behind one of those lamp posts. We saw the lights in Central Business district. We are expecting any moment now to hear from the New South Wales police once again. Its been a couple of hours since they made a statement. We are expecting a Live Press Conference any moment. In fact, i believe that is Deputy Commissioner Katherine Byrne from New South Wales police, well hear the questions asked and the response. Reporter . Any demands and the condition of the five in there. I am here to give an update on an incident that we have operating in martin place sydney at the moment. What is an incident that commenced around 9 44 today, when we received information that there was a byrne who potentially was around, occupying premises in martin place. Since that time we have responded with police and other resources. We know that there are people being held in the building in martin place, and we are aware there is a person armed, also in the premises. Mays we are seeing this evolving as a negotiation that the New South Wales police is undertaking with the person in the premises. We have had five people emerge from the location three earlier, two recently. Those people are being assessed to ensure that their health is okay, and then police will speak to them. Its important to reiterate that we have now set up our Police Operations center, which is a standard response in terms of such an incident. We have also set up our state operation center. This means that we have access to all the New South Wales police force resources. And we also have access and Partner Agencies working with us for anything that we might need so we can get the best resolution. Our approach is to resolve this peacefully. It might take a bit of time, that is our approach. Our priority is the safety of the people inside that location, and clearly the safety of the people in New South Wales. So far this evening, we have seen the public transport system perform okay. People have left the city. They have gone about their normal day, they have finished work, and apart from some minor delays, the system worked well. We will be working into the night if this situation continues, and well be looking at arrangements tomorrow, but the message at the moment is that you should continue your business as unusual. If you had plans to come into the city, you should go about your plans as usual. There is a zone, an exclusion zone in martin place, and the buildings that face on to martin place. But aside from that, other buildings will be operating as normal. If there is any further information that that will change, wily communicate that through our messaging, through our facebook and twitter, through sydney alert. Through all mechanisms that we can. What is important to remember also is that we have the Public Information Inquiry Center set up. Anyone can ring that number at any time on 1800 227 228. That will be operating 24 hours, and will provide information about a range of issues. Can i also stress that the National Security hot line is also a number that can be contacted if anybody has information that they would like to provide. Can i so far thank the community of New South Wales. So far the community has been extremely patient and cooperative. And they understand that we are dealing with a sensitive situation here, that it is a sensitive negotiation. We are prevented from providing a great deal of information. Lets be assured though, be assured that all Police Resources are in place. We are dealing with this. We have the best negotiators in the world, and we are working through this methodically to make sure that nobody is injured. Can i just reiterate and thank you for the community and their patients. Reporter has the gunman agreed to release the hostages or did they escape . I wont clarify operational tactics at the moment. It is really important to remember that this is ongoing. That we still have people who are held. We have a person that we are dealing with. As soon as we are able to provide that information, we certainly will. But the good news is that we do have five people who have come out of that building, and that we are now dealing with. Reporter has contact bhanted with the gunman . Contact been maintained with the gunman . We have been in contact throughout the day. Its an important part of the negotiation that we demonstrate talk about tactics or information passed. This is a very, very well tested system of negotiation that we use. It is world class. And it might take a little bit of time, but safety of those people inside is what is paramount. Reporter what does he want . There is speculation about what he might want. But we have to deal with him on the level of police negotiation. We cannot be engaged in any speculation, but be reassured that we are monitoring all forms of communication, whether its facebook or twitter for any information that might assist. And the plea or message. If anyone has information, its important to let us know, pass it on, because even the smallest snippet of information may be vital. There are hostages inside posting on facebook and social media about demand the gunman is making. I know you have to keep it under wraps, but its out there for people to see. Right, and we are monitoring what is on facebook, what is happening on twitter, and that is forming a part of our Tactical Response in how to handle this. Yes, that is out there. And we are aware of that. Reporter what did he tell negotiators . Thats not something i can talk about, what he might be telling negotiators, but the contact we have will be ongoing, and based on our best assessment about how to get those people out safely. Which is what does count most. Some of the hostages are talking about. Reporter [inaudible] to place or has he been trying to use the media to make demands . I think theres a number of mediums used at the moment. But it is we all have to be careful not to overreact at this time, because it is ongoing. It is important to reiterate that we are aware of that. We are monitoring it. And we are using that as a part of the strategy. Reporter why cant you say how many are inside . Its not something that i can confirm at the moment. Its not particularly useful to actually confirm potential numbers. For people who we might be dealing with, or who may have concerns that a friend or relative or a loved one might be in the building, we have set up clearly our Public Information Inquiry Center number. Surely the people are able to tell you how many are inside. Again, that is a tactic am, an operational imperative, that information. Why is it so sensitive . Because at this point. Everything has to be about the safety of the people in the location. So its important that we dont confirm it at this point. Reporter would you be able to explain about task force pioneer, what it is, how many times its been used before and what agencies have been involved is . Yes. Its a term, a standing arrangement that relates to our command and control arrangements. So when we do have a Major Incident such as this, we set up our Police Operation center, so we have a commander in place, and we have a forward command, and we have other incident management protocols. So that we are ensuring to have the best Police Response. That includes investigators, intelligence, that includes logistics, all resources and it also includes longterm planning. So that is basically a standing arrangement in terms of a response that we put in place, to make sure we have the best control and command arpt under way. Reporter do you know his identity . Reporter [inaudible]. Look, again, i dont want to speculate. We are in contact. We will continue, and the aim is peaceful resolution. Are there bombs, that this man threatened that there are bombs in other places across sydney . Can the public be and feel safe with that threat . We have a large Police Response in place as a part of this occupation. We have our police are out there, very visible. We have Police Transport command, as well as reminding the public to be vigilant and aware. Our police are vigilant and aware, and making sure if there are any suspicious packages or vehicles, but it is important to for me it reiterate that we have got this situation contained to one area at the moment. We are responding to other pieces of information, other calls, et cetera, and we will continue to. But our response is in relation to the incident at martin place. Reporter can you confirm he tried to get into the Reserve Bank Building first . No, i cant. Well have to wrap it up. From where i sit, that appeared to be a press conference from which you walk away shaking your head because absolutely nothing that is new has been revealed. But then again it could well be that there was pressure from the press in the first place that forced the Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn of New South Wales police to stand in front of the microphones and tell those waiting pretty much nothing as we go andrew thomas, our correspondent listening to that with me. Did they escape, were they let go the hostages; what does the man what, what are the numbers in there . She stone walled everything. She did. She really did, that was deliberate. They dont want anyone that their letting information out. Likely they are wanting to keep cards close to their chest. She did confirm for the first time that five people got out of the cafe. As you say, we dont know whether they were released or escaped. Thats the First Official confirmation that five got out of the cafe in the last hour and a half, and that negotiations are ongoing. We did know that they had begun. We knew a couple of hours ago that they were ongoing, we didnt know if they were still ongoing. Its significant that she stressed how experienced and expert the Police Negotiators were, and they were in continual dialogue with the hostage taker. Those sorts of things are significant. But you are right, on most issues she stone walled, did not want to give anyone away. We want to resolve this peacefully, it might take time, our priorities or for those in there and those outside. They are prepared to let this go for as long as is it takes. Well, that is what they do this these situations, when they want a peaceful outcome, and theres no imminent threat to the hostages. Theyll let this play out. We demonstrate know what is said in those situations between the hostage taker and the police. It may be that he hats requested certain things he has requested certain things, we dont know. Until there is a moment where the police need to move in, they are going to hold back. While in is peaceful and as far as we know the police said no one in the cafe has been harmed, and nothing will move from their point of view. It will change quickly if the police had information that harm had been done to one of the hostages. Im convinced of that. There was a siege, a criminal siege, nothing to do with socalled terrorism a few months back in sydney c. B. D. , and that is it what happened there. While they believed that there was no ongoing threat, they were content to stay back and let the situation tick over. As soon as the map started agitating inside what was a parked car, looking like he may be flashing petrol around, possibly lighting that they moved in quickly and got that man, as i say, in the incident a few months ago. I imagine the tactics are similar. Certainly what the Deputy Commissioner was saying about, theyll hold back until they need to get involved. Even if it lasts many hours. Loads of speculation. We must label it as such and treat it with caution because none of it has been confirmed. Tell us about something you mentioned earlier about the fact that this man has, or someone in the Building Made contact with someone outside, and also the suggestion put there to Deputy Commissioner burns that there are other bombs planned or there are bombs planted around the city . As you say, lets make sure theres a big warning on this, this is entirely speculation. A number of australian Media Outlets say they have received calls from people claiming to be hostages in the cafe, saying they have messages from the hostage taker, including the fact that he wants to speak to the australian Prime Minister, and that he wants the i. S. I. L. Flag brought to the cafe. These are reports from channel 10, a commercial network, and the a. B. C. , the governmentfunded broadcaster here as well. Similar reports that their newsrooms have received telephone calls that say they are hostages in the cafe. I stress, we have no confirmation that that is correct. But that is what we are hearing from the Domestic Networks here. Thank you. Andrew thomas there in sydney. Quarter to seven in the evening there. Well show you one shot outside the lindt cafe. And you can see a member of the Security Forces crouched behind that, one imagines its a traffic light post. Weve heard from the Deputy Police commissioner for the state of New South Wales saying yes, it is continuing, they are negotiating with a man in there, a person who is armed. She would not say how many people were in there. They would not say what the demand, if any, were, and she would not say whether the five people we have seen running from the lindt cafe had escaped or were released. Well keep an eye on the picture. We have other cameras at the scene and our corresponds there. Weve been listening and monitorimonitor Police Accounts of what is going on. If you stay with us, well bring you the latest news on that. In the meant, we are going to move on a little bit in terms of world news coverage. Israel is calling on the United States to veto a proposal that the United Nations is calling for an end to the occupation of palestinian territory. Jordan is calling for a draft resolution calling for an end of israeli control by november 2016. The Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will meet secretary of state john kerry in rome on monday to discuss the issue. Translation i will tell the both of them that israel stand to a great extent as a Solitary Island against the waves of islamic extremism, washing over the middle east. And how we have successfully understood and repelled the attacks. And now we stand against the possibility of a diplomatic assault. Palestinian leaders met in ramallah to talk about a response to the death of a government minister who died last week after a confrontation with israeli police. Jane ferguson is in ramallah, and sent us this. Reporter after meeting for over three hours, the palestinian Senior Leadership announced their draft resolution to the Unsecurity Council would be sent on wednesday, a day after the chief negotiator meets with u. S. Secretary of state john kerry. Before this would go to a vote, therell be numerous technicalities and diplomatic and bureaucratic upleave halls before it will be negotiated. Once its voted on, it will need nine votes to pass. After that the u. S. Could use their powers to veto this. At the moment, however, this is seep in ramallah as the first step to bring a resolution that is discussed for some months on to the international stage. There has been austerity protests in belgium. The country is expected to come to a standstill on monday as thousands of trade unionists go on strike. We have more from belgium. Reporter this used to be an industrial heartland with coal mines and steelworks. Most of the factories closed half a century ago, and the economy went into decline. Nowadays, it is one of the poorest parts of belgium with high unemployment. This Construction Company on the outskirts of the town is one example of how the region is trying to diversify economically. It makes blast furnace, and employs 60 people. The factory is not working during the germ strike the general strike. Managers expect traffic chaos, they prefer to remain closed. The technical director can see both points of view the government and trade unions. I am between the two. Like everywhere, i would like to work less. I would still like to have a pension. The truth lies between the two. Belgiums government which took office is trying to tackle the Huge National debt. It plans to raise the state pension age from 65 to 67 and to scrap an inflationlinked pay rise due next year. The government says its facing up to economic reality. The spending cuts, it says, are necessary and unavoidable. Those that oppose the Austerity Programme say it risks tearing apart the fabric of belgium society. There has been a strong Labour Movement going back 150 years. The trade unions today have been the driving force between the antiausterity process, culminating in the strike. Translation we are moving away from one of the stronger social models in europe and the world, a welfare system that many envied. With the war on wages and allowanc allowances, well destroy the system of social security. The struggle to balance the budget and reduce debt is not exclusive to belgium, its playing out across the euro zone massive amounts of food, millions of tops, in fact, wasted every year in the u. K. One supermarket, which is using that waste to help others. Phil lavelle has the story a whole chicken reduced from £4 to 2. The whole lot for a little over 5. A special offer. No, standard fare at a newtype of supermarket trying to combat foot waste and poverty. 50 Million Tonnes of supermarket foodnd up in the pin in the u. K. Every year, by passing checkout to chuck out, straight to landfill even though its fine to eat. The box may be damaged, the store may have overordered. Much will go to social supermarket and be resold for next to nothing. The promise of cheap food will lure crowds in the point is the doors will remain closed to all but members. To become a member, customers have to meet a number of requirements. First of all, they have to live locally in an area classed as deprived. They have to receive some form of benefit and agree to go on what is called a development program, which is effectively a number of places run by them on things like debt management. Confidence building and how to apply for jobs. It will not last forever, we are talking six months max. After that time it has to be reviewed to see if somebody else needs it more. Most of it is enthusiastic about changing their lives. This is the right place for them. If all they are looking for is cheap food, theres a few places on the high street that you can buy that from without intervention. Reporter this is the first Large Community to open, based in london. A trial store was so popular in Northern England that 20 more will open their doors. Its a supermarket, you are paying for the goods and its, however small, or reduction. But you feel theres some dignity about it. Reporter last year one of the britains biggest supermarkets tracked the top 25 selling product. 40 of apples are wasted as for bananas, 20 are never eaten, and half of its bakery goods end up in the bip. Much of this stuff will be sold to social supermarkets for pennies and sold to customers for little more. Putting food on plates and smiles on faces. You are with us here on al jazeera, our coverage of the sydney cafe siege will continue in a couple of minutes. Pass hostages run in downtown Sydney Australia others are still trapped inside a cafe held by a man believed to be armed. Sydneys Central Business district has been locked down, major buildings have been evacuated. Youre watching jazz rsh, im david foster, more on that al jazeera, im david foster, more on that developing story. In the next 30 minutes south sudan a year on. We report from m
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