British Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to the "extraordinary bravery" of those caught up in the Sydney cafe siege, which ended with the death of a gunman and two hostages.
Cafe manager Tori Johnson was reported to have been killed trying to wrestle a gun from hostage-taker Man Horan Monis, while mother-of-three Katrina Dawson was said to have died while trying to protect a pregnant friend.
Cameron told a panel of senior backbench MPs in the House of Commons on Tuesday that their actions were no less than would be expected from the citizens of "that remarkable and great country".
Speaking after Taliban insurgents killed 141 people at a school in Pakistan he said: "I think it's right to pay tribute to those who've been murdered in Australia and today in this appalling outrage in Pakistan.
"I'm sure the thoughts of everyone in this House and this committee will be with the families and the loved ones of those who have perished," Mr Cameron said.
"In Australia there are tales of extraordinary bravery and sacrifice that are now being told about what happened in that cafe. I think that's what we would expect from the people of that remarkable and great country, and our thoughts are with them."
Monis, 50, died amid volleys of gunfire as tactical police burst into the Lindt cafe, where he had held 17 people at gunpoint, early on Tuesday morning.
NSW deputy police commissioner Catherine Burn said it was too early to speculate on what happened inside the cafe and police were speaking to the surviving hostages and other witnesses to ascertain what happened.
Questions have arisen as to why the self-styled Islamic cleric was on bail while facing charges including accessory to murder and multiple counts of indecent and sexual assault.
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