Australia's top Muslim cleric has condemned the Sydney CBD siege, saying it is "denounced in Islam".
Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, the country's Grand Mufti, released a statement saying the Muslim community was "devastated" by the hostage situation in the Lindt chocolate cafe in Martin Place.
“(We) have been devastated by the recent news that (has) been circulated in the media agencies about the reported hostage incident unfolding in Martin Place,” he said in a statement.