Bishop cautious on Greste pardon prospects

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is cautious about the prospects of Egypt granting an early pardon to three jailed Al-Jazeera journalists, including Australian Peter Greste.

Ms Bishop says it would be good news if President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi changed his mind about a pardon before the court appeal process is completed.

"If there is a move for (Mr Greste) to be released earlier we certainly welcome it," she told the Nine Network on Friday.

She said Australia had been making representations at the highest level.

Australian authorities were previously told the appeal process needed to run its course before any potential presidential intervention.

An Egyptian court is scheduled to hear an appeal on January 1.

But Mr Sisi has left the door open on a pardon.

"This issue is under study," he said in an interview with France 24 on Thursday.

Asked if it might happen soon, he said: "If we find that this is appropriate for Egyptian national security, then we will do it."

Mr Sisi last week signed a decree allowing for the extradition of foreigners charged with a crime or sentenced in Egypt.

In June, an Egyptian court handed down jail terms of between seven and 10 years to the three journalists.

Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Egyptian Mohamed Baher were convicted of supporting the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false information.

Sisi has previously stressed that he does not interfere in Egyptian court rulings but he has mentioned more than once that he wished the journalists had been deported rather than prosecuted.