One of two Al Jazeera journalists released from jail in Egypt after a presidential pardon has said he "can't believe it".

Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohammed were first arrested in December 2013 and sentenced to three years last month for allegedly broadcasting "false news" and biased coverage.

The pair were among 100 prisoners including dozens of human rights activists pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

They were freed just hours after the pardon was announced and dropped off by police in a suburb of CaIro.

Speaking shortly afterwards, Fahmy told The Associated Press he and Mohammed were taken by surprise and that he still "can't believe it".

"We have not digested the fact that we are free, we don't have to worry about anything else," he said.

"Our families have suffered so much since the beginning of this trial and we're very happy that al Sisi took this action and released us."

The pardon came on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha and a day before the Egyptian president was to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

"To be honest, I anticipated that al Sisi may release some prisoners, knowing that he's going to the United Nations," said Fahmy. "But I didn't think our names would be included."

The state-run MENA news agency said a third person in the Al Jazeera case - in which the defendants also included Australian journalist Peter Greste – had also been pardoned, but did not name them.

Greste was deported earlier this year and was tried in absentia, along with six other Al Jazeera employees.

Talking to Al Jazeera English, Greste did not mention the pardon but said: "We have to keep in mind that this is not over until everyone who was caught up in this case has gone free."

Al Jazeera said in a statement it was "delighted" for Fahmy and Mohammed, but added: "It is hard to celebrate though as this whole episode should not have happened in the first place."