The parents of jailed Australian journalist Peter Greste say Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s direct appeal for his release will undoubtably help the case.

Mr Abbott rang interim Egyptian President Adly Mansour on Thursday night, three months after the Al Jazeera journalist and two colleagues were detained for allegedly spreading false news and supporting the black-listed Muslim Brotherhood.

Greste’s parents didn’t realise Mr Abbott was going to intervene, but thanked him.

“We’re thrilled, delighted,” his father Juris said.

“I have high hopes but modest expectations.

“We don’t expect to be greeting Peter next week. It would be nice.”

The Grestes held back from any criticism of how long it took Mr Abbott to reach out.

“We have come to realise that timing is important, and we respect other people’s over the appropriate timing in these things,” Juris said.

The prime minister raised the detention with Mr Mansour, noting that Greste had only been doing his job as a journalist and had no intention of damaging Egypt’s interests.

He sought the president’s assistance in securing Greste’s release and having his case resolved as soon as possible.

In response the president noted that he had written to Greste’s parents promising he would be subject to a fair and just legal process.

The president assured them that Greste would receive all necessary support and legal assistance and said he hoped the case would be resolved as soon as possible.