(VOVworld) -  Iranian-born gunman Man Haron Monis, killed in the recent hostage siege in central Sydney, was a radical extremist, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Tuesday.

Iranian-born gunman Man Haron Monis is a radical extremist

At the first press conference following the rescue operation, Abbott said Monis had been on a watch list and had a long history of violent crime, an infatuation with extremism, and mental instability. He said 2 hostages were killed, 15 were rescued, and the hostage taker was shot dead by police. Abbott sent condolences to the victims’ families and said state agencies will conduct a careful investigation.

On Tuesday, hundreds of staffers were evacuated from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra after a suspicious package was found in the canteen of the building.