Australia PM Tony Abbott confirms 'increased terrorist chatter' post Sydney cafe siege

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Tuesday security officials had intercepted a heightened level of 'terrorist chatter' in the aftermath of last week's deadly Sydney cafe siege.

"The national security agencies today indicated that there has been a heightened level of terrorist chatter in the aftermath of the Martin Place siege," Abbott told reporters in Sydney. "That's why it's important that people remain alert."

Man Haron Monis, a self-styled sheikh, held hostages in a 16-hour siege at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place, a central Sydney shopping and office precinct, a week ago. Two hostages and Monis were killed when police stormed the cafe.