In pictures: Australia pays tribute to siege victims

Children lay flowers at the scene of a dramatic siege which left two hostages dead in SydneyAFP/Getty

The people of Sydney have created a floral memorial outside the Lindt cafe in Sydney's Central Business District where the siege took place.

Representatives of the Muslim community lay flowers at a floral memorial at the scene of a dramatic siege which left two hostages dead in SydneyAFP

Representatives of the Muslim community have expressed their shock and grief over the incident.

A young girl holds aloft a chocolate over memorial flowers on December 16, 2014 in Sydney.Getty Images

People have come in their hundreds to lay flowers outside the cafe.

Women comfort each other in Martin Place on December 16, 2014 in Sydney, AustraliaGetty Images

The centre of Sydney is no longer on lockdown but the city remains on a heightened security alert.

Archbishop of Sydney, Most Reverend Anthony Fisher shakes hands with Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove during a mass to pay respect to the victims of the Martin Place siege on December 16, 2014 in Sydney.Getty Images

Hundreds of people gathered at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney for a special memorial service on Tuesday.

Flowers at the scene of the siege in SydneyMetcalfe/Getty

Local media have named the hostages who died as Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34 and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38.

Commandos storm a cafe in SydneyEPA

Commandos stormed the cafe in the small hours of Tuesday morning to end the siege.

Hostages run to safety during a cafe siege in the central business district of Sydney , Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014AP

Earlier, small groups of hostages were seen running out of the Lindt cafe after shots were fired.