武裝分子繼續在悉尼扣押多名人質

A gunman continues to hold an unknown number of people hostage in a Sydney, Australia, restaurant, nearly 16 hours after the siege began Monday morning.

New South Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione refused to call the situation a terrorist act, but suggested the ordeal could last for days.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the incident at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in the city's central business district may be politically motivated.

Early in the crisis, hostages were seen standing with their hands pushed up against the windows. A black flag with the Islamic creed known as the Shahada written in white could be seen through the glass.

Five people fled to safety from the cafe, though it remains unclear whether they escaped or were released. An estimated 10 to 25 hostages remain inside.澳大利亞城市悉尼星期一上午發生的人質危機已經持續了16個多小時，一名槍手仍將一些人質扣押在悉尼的一家咖啡廳裏，目前無法確定裏面究竟有多少人質。

新南威爾士警察總監斯皮奧恩拒絕把這一事件稱作恐怖行動，但表示事件可能會持續數天。

澳大利亞總理阿博特說，發生在市中心林特巧克力咖啡廳的綁架可能有政治動機。

危機發生後，一度可以看到人質舉起雙手，靠在窗戶上。透過玻璃窗，還可以看到一面黑旗，上面用白色阿拉伯文字寫着被稱爲清真言的伊斯蘭信條。

有5名人質逃出餐館。目前還不清楚這5人是被槍手釋放，還是自己逃脫。據估計，人質在10到25人之間。