Update to this story.

Via The Hill:

President Obama called Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott late Tuesday to offer assistance in the aftermath of the hostage crisis in downtown Sydney.

The White House said the president also complimented the Australian people for their embrace of a social media campaign to support the country’s Muslim population. […]

Two hostages and a gunman were killed early Tuesday as authorities stormed a downtown Sydney cafe. Man Haron Monis, an Iranian refugee with a history of violent crime and mental instability, had taken a large group hostage inside the restaurant 16 hours earlier. Two other people were injured.

During the prolonged standoff, an anti-Islamaphobia effort known by the hashtag #Illridewithyou went viral in the country, earning praise from Obama. Social media users posted that they would share cars and public transportation with Muslims in a show of solidarity

“Noting the Australian public’s embrace of #Illridewithyou and the Muslim leaders who have disavowed the actions of the hostage taker, the President also praised Australia’s rejection of any violence taken in the name of religion and the fear this violence seeks to stoke,” the White House said.

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