NICOSIA: Australian journalist Peter Greste on Monday urged Egypt to free his jailed colleagues at Al-Jazeera, describing his "angst" at having to leave them behind after being released.
Greste, 49, was arrested for allegedly aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood, along with colleagues Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed of Egypt, in moves that sparked worldwide condemnation.
The award-winning correspondent was freed and deported on Sunday after more than 400 days behind bars, and he immediately flew with his brother Michael to Cyprus, where he has been resting before returning to Australia.
"This is a massive step forward... I just hope that Egypt keeps going down that path with the others," Greste told Al-Jazeera in his first interview since leaving prison.
Greste said he felt a "real mix of emotions boiling inside" upon hearing that he was to be released because it meant leaving behind "my brothers" Fahmy and Mohamed.
"I had gone out for a run... the prison warden called me and said: 'It is time to get your stuff and go,'" he told the pan-Arab television network.
"I feel incredible angst about my colleagues, leaving them behind," he said.
"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."
Greste said he was overwhelmed by the level of support for the campaign for his release, and that he now looked forward to "watching a few sunsets" and "feeling sand under my toes."
Fahmy's relatives expect him to also be deported under a decree passed by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that allows for the transfer of foreigners on trial.
His fiancee, Marwa Omara, told AFP in Cairo: "We are expecting Mohamed to be released in the coming days."
Canada said Greste's release was "positive" news and that it remained "very hopeful" that Fahmy would also be freed soon.
- 'I'm ecstatic' -
Greste's family expressed their joy after speaking to him on the phone.
The Australian's mother, Lois, told a news conference in their hometown of Brisbane: "I'm ecstatic. I just can't say how happy I am about it."
Father Juris said it was not clear when he would arrive home.
"He is gathering his thoughts for the trip home," said his brother Andrew. "He is safe, healthy, very, very happy to be on his way home."
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott spoke of his "personal delight and our nation's relief" at Greste's release.
But Heather Allan, head of newsgathering at the channel, admitted she wasn't confident that Mohamed would be released.
"I can't say I am confident, no. I just don't know, honestly. Are we going to keep on fighting it? Absolutely -- we are not going to leave him there," she said.
Mohamed's family has pinned their hopes on a presidential pardon or his acquittal on appeal.
Amnesty International said Greste's release should not overshadow the ongoing imprisonment of Fahmy and Mohamed.
"All three men are facing trumped up charges and were forced to endure a farcical trial marred by irregularities," said Amnesty's Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
The Committee to Protect Journalists, a media watchdog, welcomed the release and called on Sisi to pardon and free Fahmy and Mohamed "and the other journalists still behind bars for doing their work".
The European Union also described Greste's release as a "positive step" but called for his colleagues' to be freed, adding that "journalists must be able to work in a safe working environment".
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