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Greste options discussed

Australian officials will talk to Egypt’s ambassador to Australia on Tuesday amid calls for sanctions against the country over the jailing of journalist Peter Greste.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the federal government wanted to find out if it was possible to intervene, after the Australian and his Al Jazeera colleagues were sentenced on Monday to seven years jail for aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

She said the federal government would continue to make high-level representations to Egypt about the case.

The Greste family have vowed to not give up the fight and will consider an appeal, but will spend the next few days discussing their options with lawyers and the Australian government.

Andrew Greste, who was in court for the sentencing, has told the ABC he and his brother Mike were yet to speak with their brother but will visit him on Tuesday.

Egypt’s Ambassador to Australia, Hassan El-Laithy, is due to meet with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials on Tuesday.

There have been angry calls for sanctions against Egypt, including from Australian Greens leader Christine Milne who said the federal government must lead international action to intervene with the Egyptian government to secure the release of Mr Greste and void the “ridiculous” verdict.

“All diplomatic options, including sanctions, should be on the table,” Ms Milne said on Monday.

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