SYDNEY, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that Australia welcomes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and will consider deploying military assets to secure shipping in the region.

Speaking to reporters in Sydney, Albanese welcomed Iran's announcement that the strait has completely reopened for all commercial vessels during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

"This was positive news that we received last night," Albanese said. "We want to see, though, this fragile arrangement confirmed."

Asked if Australia would deploy military assets to ensure shipping remains open, Albanese said the government would consider any such requests.

"Australia obviously is a long way away as well from the strait, compared with European nations. It's fair to say that we'll give consideration to requests which are made when we come together," he said.

Albanese was speaking alongside Energy Minister Chris Bowen, who said that Australia has increased its strategic fuel reserves over the last week.

Bowen said that Australia had 46 days' worth of petrol in the national stockpile as of Saturday, as well as 31 days' worth of diesel and 30 days' worth of jet fuel. ■