Al Jazeera journalist says his release is a “massive step” for Egypt

In his first public remarks since being freed from a Cairo prison, Peter Greste said he felt "incredible angst" about leaving his still detained Al Jazeera colleagues behind.

The family of Australian journalist Peter Greste pose with a picture of him during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia on February 2, 2015. Dan Peled/EPA

NICOSIA // Australian journalist Peter Greste has described his release from a Cairo prison as a big step forward for Egypt and expressed hopes that two of his colleagues at Al Jazeera will also be freed.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mr Greste also said it was a great relief to be freed but that he felt “incredible angst” about leaving his fellow journalists behind.

“This is a massive step forward ... I just hope that Egypt keeps going down that path with the others,” said Mr Greste in his first public remarks since being freed on Sunday after 400 days in jail.

Upon his release, Mr Greste immediately flew with his brother Michael to Cyprus, where he has been resting before returning to Australia.

The 49-year-old had been sentenced to seven years in jail on charges that included aiding a terrorist group – a reference to the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr Greste’s Al Jazeera colleagues Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed both remain in prison. They were jailed for between seven and 10 years on similar charges.

Speaking to the news channel, Mr Greste said he felt a “real mix of emotions” upon hearing that he was to be released because it meant leaving behind Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed.

“This (release) has been like a rebirth,” he said.

But added: “Amidst all this relief, I still feel a sense of concern and worry. If it’s appropriate for me to be free, it’s right for all of them to be freed.”

Egypt's Interior Ministry said on its Facebook page that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi released Mr Greste under a decree issued in November authorising him to approve the deportation of foreign prisoners.

When asked what he would most like to do now, Mr Greste said: “Watching a few sunsets. I haven’t seen one of those at all for a very long time, watching the stars, feeling the sand under my toes. The little things.”

“You realise it is those little beautiful moments of life that are really precious, and spending time with my family of course. That’s what’s important, not the big issues,” he added.

* Agence France-Presse and Reuters