Australian journalist's family elated on his release

The family of Australian journalist Peter Greste Monday said they were delighted to learn that he has been released from Egyptian prison and is flying back home, a media report said.

Peter Greste, freed after reportedly spending 400 days in prison, worked for the Doha-based Al-Jazeera channel. His two other colleagues and prison inmates -- Egyptian national Baher Mohammed and Egyptian-Canadian Mohammed Fahmy - however, remain jailed.

The fate of the two remain unknown, ABC TV channel reported.

Peter Greste travelled to Cyprus after being set free Sunday night following order of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi under a new law, allowing foreign prisoners to be deported.

The Australian journalist's brother Andrew Greste said in a press conference that the family had spoken to Peter Greste over phone.

"He is currently with our brother Mike in Cyprus where he is gathering his thoughts for the trip home. He is safe, healthy, and very, very happy to be on his way home," Andrew Greste said.

He also said that his brother wanted to stress the fact that his colleagues were still behind bars. "Peter won't rest until they're released from prison and we hope that will follow in the very near future."

Peter Greste, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy were jailed in December 2013 on charges of defaming Egypt and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood organisation, sparking claims that their trial was politically motivated and demand for a presidential pardon for the three.

The organisation was banned in September 2014.

Like Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy was sentenced to seven years in jail while Baher Mohamed was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Al-Jazeera's Cairo offices have been closed since July 3, 2013, when the army removed Islamist president Mohammed Morsi following an uprising against his one-year rule.

Cairo accuses Al-Jazeera of spreading distorted news and pro-Muslim Brotherhood coverage, as well as working against the country's interests.