Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has renewed calls for reforming Islamic discourse, saying it is a key element in defeating terrorism.

"By speaking of renewing religious discourse, we look to promote the correct understanding of [Islam] and filter out false ideology and misconceptions," El-Sisi said in an interview with Fox News in New York on Wednesday.

The Egyptian president reiterated the need for a comprehensive strategy that is not confined to military and security confrontation, to combat extremist ideology and terrorist organisations around the world.

"The international community needs to stand firm against [extremism] with a comprehensive strategy that is not confined to military security confrontation, but which involves other aspects: economic, social and cultural," El-Sisi said.

El-Sisi, who is currently in New York for the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, said that the Middle East has suffered the most from terrorism.

Egypt is fighting an Islamist insurgency that has spiked over the past four years.

The militancy, based in the border North Sinai region, has mainly targeted police and army personnel, killing hundreds. The Egyptian military has also killed hundreds of militants as part of its campaign to root out the insurgency.