Sydney siege ends in deaths of extremist gunman, two hostages(2)

NATIONAL SHOCK

Although it is not yet known to Commonwealth or State authorities what the motivations behind the attack were, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed that the gunman, who was shot and killed in the police raid, had a long history of "violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability."

Monis, an Iranian cleric, was on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife, as well as facing more than 40 charges of sexual assault. He had previously been convicted for sending offensive letters to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

"As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult," the prime minister said in his first press conference since the conclusion of the horrific siege.

With regard to the deadly incident, Abbott said "these events do demonstrate that even a country as free, as open and as generous as ours is vulnerable to acts of politically motivated violence."

"There is nothing more Australian than dropping in at the local cafe for a morning coffee and it's tragic beyond words that people going about their everyday business should have been caught up in such a horrific incident," he continued.

"Our hearts go out to all of those caught up in this appalling incident and their loved ones. On behalf of all Australians, I extend my sympathy to the families of the two hostages who died overnight," Abbott said.

The owner of the cafe, Swiss chocolate-maker Lindt, said that they were devastated by the loss of lives and that those wounded have to experience such trauma.

"Our thoughts and feelings are with the victims and their families who have been through an incredible ordeal, and we want to pay tribute to their courage and bravery," the company said in a statement.

Jane Needham, president of the New South Wales Bar Association, offered her condolence in a statement to Katrina Dawson, who was a Sydney lawyer.

"Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends," Needham said.

Throughout Tuesday morning, the public have been laying flowers near the cafe in Martin Place.

In September, Australia's government raised the country's terror warning level in response to the domestic threat posed by supporters of the Islamic State group.