Tony Abbott has called the Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, to thank him for his role in releasing the journalist Peter Greste from jail.
Greste served 400 days in jail after being convicted, alongside his Al-Jazeera colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, of colluding with the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
He was deported from Egypt under a newly enacted presidential decree which allows the transfer of international prisoners.
“The prime minister thanked president al-Sisi for his effort to bring Peter Greste’s imprisonment to an end,” a statement from Abbott’s office said. “Prime minister Abbott expressed hope that Mr Greste’s colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed might be released soon.”
Abbott also discussed counterterrorism measures with Sisi.
“They agreed on the importance of countries of the world working together to tackle extremism and the threat posed by terrorism,” the statement said.
“Prime minister Abbott thanked, praised and congratulated the president on his historic new year speech which called for a religious revolution to counter Islamic extremism.”
Greste is due back in Australia in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Brother Mike and I due to head home to Australia shortly. Can't wait for the family reunion. Keep shouting #FreeAJStaff
— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) February 3, 2015
Greste briefly stopped in Cyprus after flying out of Egypt, where he visited the beach and was interviewed by his employer.
Free in Cyprus! Feels sweet. Peter back online for first time in 400+ days. Special thanks to Mike 4 nursing twitter pic.twitter.com/APATL1RljI
— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) February 3, 2015
Greste has urged the public not to forget about his colleagues still behind bars, saying he feels “incredible angst” at leaving them behind.
Fahmy, who holds a Canadian passport, is expected to be released from prison soon, after he relinquished his Egyptian citizenship.
Mohamed holds only Egyptian citizenship and his fate remains unclear. He was sentenced to 10 years – three more than his colleagues – in their June trial, which was severely criticised in the West for its legal flaws.
