Defence chief apologises for false claim

The head of the defence force has apologised to Australia's Middle Eastern community after a sailor withdrew an assault claim.

The serviceman had claimed he was threatened and assaulted by two men of Middle Eastern appearance while on his way to work from his home in north-western Sydney on Thursday.

Both NSW Police and the Australian Defence Force on Friday confirmed the 41-year-old sailor had withdrawn his complaint.

That drew an apology from ADF chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin as he spoke to reporters in Canberra.

"On behalf of the Australian Defence Force I would like to apologise to the Australian community and in particular the Middle Eastern community for any angst this has caused," he said.

Air Chief Marshal Binskin cautioned the media against over-hyping his guidance to defence personnel about not wearing their uniforms in public.

"They know through common sense where they should wear uniform and where it might not be right to wear uniform," he said.

The assault claim followed the shooting death of an 18-year-old terror suspect and double-stabbing of police officers in Melbourne.

NSW Police say they will continue investigations into the circumstances that led to the false allegation being made.