Abbott seeks al-Sisi talks over Greste

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the government is lobbying the new regime in Egypt for the release of journalist Peter Greste.

Australian journalist Peter Greste

Julie Bishop says the government is lobbying in Egypt for the release of journalist Peter Greste. (AAP)

Tony Abbott is attempting to contact Egypt's new president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to lobby for the release of Australian journalist Peter Greste.

Greste will learn his fate on Monday, when an Egyptian court issues its verdict in the case that's sparked international outrage.

Greste and two other reporters working for Qatar-based Al Jazeera English news network were arrested in December, and put on trial for spreading false news and supporting former prime minister Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.

If convicted, the Australian journalist faces at least 15 years in jail.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she had spoken overnight with recently appointed Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukri, and the prime minister was seeking similar contact with President al-Sisi.

"Our prime minister rang the interim president and I know he is seeking to make contact with the new president, President al-Sisi," Ms Bishop told ABC Television.

"So we are making representations at every level in the Egyptian government with a view to ensuring Peter Greste is home as soon as possible."


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