'Work continues to free jailed al-Jazeera journalists' says Australian minister

The Australian government has called on the Egyptian president to take action over the seven-year jail term handed out to the journalist, Australia's Peter Greste, and two al-Jazeera colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed.

A court in Cairo found the three men guilty of spreading false news. They had denied the charges and are expected to appeal.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said work would continue with to try to secure Mr Greste's release.

''We will continue to make representations at the highest level within the new Egyptian government,'' she said.