Washington, Safar 25, 1436, December 17, 2014, SPA -- US President Barack Obama spoke with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, offering condolences and offering U.S. assistance after a gunman took 17 people hostage inside a café, and offered U.S. assistance. In a telephone call late Monday, Obama expressed confidence the Australian people will emerge stronger from the hostage crisis, the White House said Wednesday. --SPA 18:41 LOCAL TIME 15:41 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w