President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with members of the Supreme Council to Combat Terrorism and Extremism
(Photo: Al-Ahram Arabic website)
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi chaired on Thursday the first meeting of the Supreme Council to Combat Terrorism and Extremism.
El-Sisi called on the council to adopt a comprehensive national strategy to combat both domestic and international terrorism and extremism within a framework that covers the security, cultural, economic, social and media aspects.
The council was formed by the president in April after deadly attacks by Islamist militants against churches in Alexandria and Tanta to coordinate efforts in the government's war on terrorism.
In the last four years, Egypt has been fighting against Islamist militant terror attacks on army and police, mostly in North Sinai, which have left hundreds of security personnel dead. Islamist militants have also carried out deadly attacks against Coptic churches on a number of occasions.
The council's members include Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal, the grand imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II.
Council members also include the ministers of defence, endowments, foreign affairs, interior, communication, justice, education, higher education, and social solidarity, as well as the heads of intelligence and the Administrative Control Authority.
El-Sisi stressed to council members the importance of spreading moderate religious discourse and virtuous concepts, as well as developing plans to protect young people from the dangers of extremism by providing job opportunities, the presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef said in a statement.
El-Sisi urged a revision of counterterrorism legislation domestically and internationally, as well as enhancing coordination and cooperation between state's apparatuses on fighting terrorism.
The president also stressed the importance of using media platforms to increase awareness and counter terrorism and extremism, Youssef said.
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