Lindt Chocolat Cafe hostage drama in Martin Place, Sydney

The man who is holding more than a dozen people hostage and placed Sydney's CBD into lockdown is no stranger to the NSW police or the judiciary.

Self-described cleric, Man Haron Monis, 50, first came to attention of police when he penned poisonous letters to the family of dead Australian soldiers.

You can read the full story on Man Haron Monis here.

SIege gunman: Man Haron Monis. Credit: Nick Ralston

As we enter day two of the hostage drama at Martin Place, we have kicked off a new live article for our readers. We'll be switching off this live blog, and our reporters will be keeping you informed in our new blog.

You can keep up to date with all our coverage throughout Tuesday here.

The hostage siege at Lindt Cafe in Martin Place has been given prominence on the front pages of newspapers in the United States where there is great sensitivity to any terrorist-related attacks. The siege in Sydney follows 'the lone-wolf' attack on Canada's war memorial and parliament in Ottawa by an Islamic State sympathiser.

Police continue to keep watch and maintain their positions outside the Lindt Chocolate Cafe.

A NSW Tactical Operations Group police officer maintains his position at the scene in Martin Place, Sydney.Credit: Andrew Meares

A coalition of Muslim groups has issued a statement expressing their "utter shock and horror" over the siege at Martin Place and "urging everyone to stay calm".

"We reject any attempt to take the innocent life of any human being, or to instil fear and terror into their hearts," the statement says.

Read the full story by Anne Davies and Tim Elliott here: Muslim leaders brace for backlash

Peter Hartcher comments on the siege that has captured media attention around the world:

"Why do political activists turn to terrorism? Australia gave the world a lesson today.

They turn to terrorism to win attention, to cause fear, and to use that fear to produce an overreaction. That overreaction is the measure of their success."

Read the full story here: Overreaction from fear is a measure of a terrorist's success

Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn has commended the public for its patience during the ongoing operation.

"You, the community, made our job much easier than it could have been," Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

"We only hope that co-operation and understanding continues tomorrow as we work to bring about a peaceful resolution to this situation."

Bus services will run according to regular schedules, although some routes will be diverted around the affected area.

Train services will operate normally although Martin Place station remains closed.

People intending to travel to the Sydney CBD, away from the cordoned off area, are advised to go ahead with their plans.

Those affected by the operation are advised to contact their employers, monitor media reports and seek advice via the NSW Police website and social media platforms.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn has commended members of the public for the cooperation they have shown police during the siege in Martin Place.Credit: Les Smith

Police are urging the public to go about their business as usual tomorrow.

Officers will continue to maintain a perimeter around a cafe at the corner of Martin Place and Elizabeth streets overnight where a man is holding a number of hostages.

Traffic and Highway Patrol police have cordoned-off parts of Hunter, Macquarie, King and Elizabeth streets.

• Elizabeth Street between Hunter and King Streets – closed to all traffic
• Elizabeth Street – northbound between Market and King Street – closed to all traffic
• Phillip Street – between King and Hunter Streets – closed to all traffic
• King Street – between Elizabeth and Phillip Streets – closed to all traffic
• Macquarie Street – between St James Road and Hunter Street – closed to all traffic

Elly Chen, one of the employees who fled the Lindt Cafe at about 5pm on Monday, was a talented student and athlete, according to her social media accounts.

Friends and relatives flooded her Facebook page with messages of relief that she had made it from the building.

A waitress, believed to be Elly Chen, flees Lindt cafe on Monday afternoon. Credit: Jason Reed/Reuters

The hostages inside the cafe have now been there for more than 12 hours.

Here is a timeline of events from earlier in the day.

9.44am: Man seen entering Lindt Cafe, carrying blue sports bag with gun inside.

9.45am: Police called to scene.

9:50am: Police clear area and cordon off Martin Place.

10am: Cafe staff and customers pressed against windows with hands raised.

10:02am: Hostages forced to hold up flag with Islamic script.

10:45am: Sydney Opera House evacuated.

11:20am: Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces national security committee of cabinet convened for briefings.

About 1pm: Talkback host Ray Hadley claims to have spoken to a hostage who spoke under instruction of a gunman.

1:53pm: Premier Mike Baird says "we are being tested in Sydney today".

1:58pm: NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says "at least one" armed offender is holding an undisclosed number of hostages.

3:35pm: Three people – one staff member and two others – seen running from cafe.

4:04pm: NSW Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn says the number of hostages is fewer than 30

4:59pm: Two female employees of Lindt run from cafe.

8:20pm: Premier Baird and Police Commissioner Scipione foreshadow extension of hostage crisis into Tuesday. Scipione says the Lindt Cafe is the only building in the city police are now interested in.