Ahmed al Ahmed, hailed as a "hero" by Australian and American leaders for disarming one of the two attackers in the Bondi Beach bombing in Sydney, told an American news channel on Monday that he wanted to stop them from "killing innocent people".

"My goal was simply to take his weapon and stop him from killing human beings and innocent people," the fruit vendor, whose filmed act was broadcast worldwide, told CBS News.

He remembers the moment when, after approaching from behind, he "jumped" onto the back of one of the shooters, holding him with his right hand, and said to him: "Drop your weapon, stop what you are doing."

He thus managed to disarm Sajid Akram, one of the two attackers, who died during the attack, which Australian authorities have described as an anti-Semitic attack. His son, Naveed Akram, with whom he carried out the attack, is currently in police custody. The attack left 15 people dead and dozens injured during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which was being celebrated on Bondi Beach.

"I don't want to see people being killed in front of me, I don't want to see blood, I don't want to hear his gun, I don't want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help," Mr. Ahmed said, reliving the scene.

"I know I saved many lives, but I am sorry for those that were lost," added the man who was shot several times in the shoulder during the altercation and had to undergo several operations.

This father of two emigrated to Australia from Syria in 2007, his uncle Mohammed, a farmer, told AFP a few days after the shooting in Ahmed's hometown of Al-Nayrab, asserting that his act is "a source of pride for us and for Syria".

The Australian government has expedited procedures and granted a number of visas to Mr. Ahmed's family, local media reported.

"Ahmed has shown the courage and values we look for in Australia," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement.