A New South Wales state police officer is seen at a corner near Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. Hostages were being held inside the central Sydney cafe where a black flag with white Arabic writing could be seen in the window, local television showed on Monday, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. REUTERS/Jason Reed (AUSTRALIA - Tags: CRIME LAW TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)