He went on to congratulate Muslims who had "chosen 'Team Islam'".

The Facebook page bills itself as a "counter terrorism" page and states "it is 'Team Islam' against Australian oppression and terrorism."

"Shame on Team Australia and shame on those racist and terrorist Australians who support the governments of America and its allies including Australia."

Just last week Monis – who had more than 14,000 "likes" on social networking site Facebook - branded Australians who supported the United States and its foreign policy "racist and terrorist" on his Facebook page, which late on Monday night was taken down.

In a letter to Mr Abbott on November 1, 2013, Monis wrote – in what can now be seen as a chilling portent of Monday's siege - attacked the Prime Minister for declaring Australia's mission to Afghanistan over during a visit to Tarin Kowt military base.

Monis argued that Australia's policy in Afghanistan "has a significant role in jeopardising security and peace in the world especially in Australia", challenged the Prime Minister to a debate about the Afghan war and promised to support government policy if he lost the debate.

"However, if it is proven in our debate that the government's policy endangered Australia, if it is proven the government made Australia unsafe, if it is proven that Australia and Australians will be attacked, in that case I expect you to change the Australia's (sic) policy."

Monis last week praised the Islamic State group for its provision of services in Syria and Iraq – though most experts say that such services are largely used for propaganda and in fact the group predominantly terrorises local populations.

He has also claimed to be one of the "victims and witnesses of the torture by the barbaric and terrorist Australian authorities".