Eyes on Sydney ... FOX News switched to Australia’s Sky News. Picture: Fox Source: Supplied

In the United States, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and other 24-hour news channels had already dedicated most of their Monday morning programming to coverage of the emergency.

When the situation climaxed with hostages fleeing and heavily armed authorities storming the cafe in Sydney’s central business district, people around the world watched live.

World watches ... in the United States, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and other 24-hour news channels dedicated most of their Monday morning programming to coverage of the emergency. Picture: CNN Source: Supplied

CNN switched programming to the Seven Network’s coverage.

FOX News switched to Australi’s SkyNews.

The New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, the UK’s Independent and Times, France’s Le Monde and other news websites were dominated by the harrowing photos of hostages running for their lives.

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Live drama ... when the situation climaxed with hostages fleeing and heavily armed authorities storming the cafe, people around the world watched live. Picture: Fox Source: Supplied

The hostage situation also transfixed the Twittersphere, with #sydneysiege trending on Twitter overnight.

Also storming social media was the #IllRideWithYou campaign, as people moved to squash Islamophobia by offering to give Muslims a ride to work today.

At the White House, US President Barack Obama was briefed on the situation by his top counterterrorism adviser, Lisa Monaco.

Leaders around the world also watched the situation closely.

“I was briefed overnight on the siege in Sydney,” British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted.

“It’s deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.”

The Indonesian government, through its foreign ministry, released a statement condemning the actions of the hostage taker.

“The Indonesian government states that acts of terror cannot be justified with any reason,” it said.

Blanket coverage ... international coverage was dominated by harrowing scenes from the Sydney siege. Picture: MSNBC Source: Supplied

“The Indonesian government, in this case the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Indonesian representatives in Australia, will keep monitoring closely and carefully developments in the incident.

“Indonesian representatives in Sydney are also closely co-ordinating and communicating with Australian authorities, the Indonesian community in Sydney and the Muslim community in Sydney.”

Other allies offered support.

Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted.