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Urgent review ordered into background of Sydney siege gunman

An urgent review has been ordered by the Australian government to answer a number of "obvious questions" about what could have been done to prevent the deadly siege at a Sydney café.

It comes as police in Sydney revealed they fought to keep gunman Man Haron Monis, who went on to kill two hostages in a 16-hour siege, in custody - but were overruled by the courts, police chiefs have revealed.

The 50-year-old gunman, who died as police stormed the building, was implicated in a string of serious crimes but had still been granted bail.

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Reporter's tears as she realised she knew siege victim

A Channel 7 presenter broke down in tears live on air as she realised she knew one of the victims of the café siege in Sydney.

Natalie Barr, who presents the channel's Sunrise programme, found out that mother-of-three Katrina Dawson - the sister of one of her friends - was among those killed in the 16-hour attack.

Reports claim Ms Dawson, aged 38, was trying to protect her pregnant friend from gunfire when she was shot and killed.

Miss Barr was co-hosting from the scene with fellow presenter David Koch when she realised who the victim was, and had to hand over to her colleague while she composed herself.

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