Heavily armed policemen seen outside the cafe in the central business district of Sydney. - AFP
SYDNEY: A sunny day on the bustling thoroughfare in the heart of Sydney's financial district - usually crowded with sharp-suited office workers and selfie-taking tourists - turned into a terror-filled affair when an armed gunman took several people hostage inside the chocolate-themed Lindt cafe in Martin Place.
In a chilling contrast to the street's festive air, hostages were made to stand against the popular store's window display for hours, holding up a banner with Arabic writing over a "Merry Christmas" sign.
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