Egypt leader writes detained journalist's family

CAIRO (AP) — In a rare gesture, Egypt's interim president has written to the family of an Australian journalist being tried on terrorism charges for his work with Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera, saying he would to push to expedite the case.

Peter Greste, detained with three other Al-Jazeera English journalists, stands accused of endangering national security and aiding a terrorist organization along with 17 others in the case.

"I would like to assure you in my capacity as president of Egypt, that I will spare no effort to work towards the speedy resolution of the case, in a fashion consistent with the law and that guarantees the reunion of the family in the near future," Adly Mansour wrote in the letter, seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday.