UPDATED 2.46pm: Peter Greste is said to be relieved and bewildered, after he received little notice that he was to be released without conditions.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has spoken to the Al Jazeera journalist, who's now on his way home after being held in a Cairo jail for 400 days.

She says Greste is desperate to get home to his family.

"From my discussion with him, he was very keen to be back on a beach and be lying in the sun in Australia."

Julie Bishop says Peter Greste is now in Cyprus, where he has been met by consulate officials.

The family of a freed journalist are relieved, and thanking social media for their son's release.

Brother Andrew Greste says the 'Free Al Jazeera Staff' campaign has been a massive success.

He says they are small cogs in the campaign, and they've been humbled by people's generosity and outpouring of support.

Peter Greste's mother, Lois, says the family is feeling 'ecstatic and pleased'.

Two journalists still in jail 

Al Jazeera has called on Egypt to release Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed following the release from prison and deportation of Australian journalist Peter Greste.

Acting director of the Doha-based network, Mostefa Souag, says they won't rest until the pair also regain their freedom, saying the Egyptian authorities have it in their power to do so.

An airport official says Greste left Cairo on board a flight for Cyprus about one o'clock this morning after being released from jail.

NZ committee continue to battle for colleagues

The New Zealand Media Freedom Committee is welcoming Greste's release, but chair Joanna Norris says the international community must continue to advocate for his Al Jazeera colleagues who remain behind bars.

The trio were accused by Egyptian prosecutors of supporting a terrorist organisation, through their coverage of Egyptian politics.

Ms Norris says the freedom of the media to report and publish views without fear of prosecution is fundamental to a free society.