A raft of US media outlets has spot light on a presidential decree issued by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi pardoning 100 prisoners on the occasions of Eidul Adha.

A spokesperson for the Canadian government said that Canada was pleased with the pardon and it would help arrange Fahmy's departure from Egypt, Huffington Post reported Wednesday.

Fox news channel said that the move is "a surprise" development in a case widely highlighted by human rights and international organizations.

The US Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomed the presidential decree that included Al Jazeera journalists Mohammad Fahmy and Baher Mohammad who were given imprisonment sentences over unlicensed work missions and support to a terrorist organization.

CPJ coordinator for the Middle East and North African Affairs Sherif Mansour termed as "encouraging" the pardon decision