Sydney gunman dropped off watchlist

The Sydney cafe gunman was once on the Australian national security agency’s watchlist – but dropped off it years ago for reasons that remain unclear, prime minister Tony Abbott has said.

Man Haron Monis, a 50-year-old Iranian-born, self-styled cleric – described by Mr Abbott as deeply disturbed – took 17 people hostage inside a Sydney city centre cafe on Monday. Sixteen hours later, the siege ended in a barrage of gunfire when police rushed in to free the captives. Two hostages were killed along with Monis.